Opposition leaders: Russia Drawing Belarus in Military Confrontation with Europe

Deploying Russian military installations in Belarus contradicts the Constitution and poses at risk the independence of the country.

It has been stated by the chairman of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka, the leader of the movement under construction, “For Statehood and Independence of Belarus” Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, the former political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich and the leader of civil campaign "European Belarus" Andrei Sannikov. The politicians have made a joint statement, in which they call upon citizens to prevent deploying the Russian military base on the territory of Belarus, BelaPAN informs.

The authors of the document remind that the leadership of the Russian Federation has stated their intention to station their military base on the territory of Belarus, and moreover, it had been done on a unilateral basis, “without regard to the will and desire of the Belarusian nation.” It must be prevented by us!” the authors of the statement stress.

They are convinced that deployment of Russian military installations on the Belarusian soil contradicts the Constitution, endanger independence of Belarus and draw the country into the military confrontation with European neighbours.

The opposition leaders have called upon citizens irrespective of their political views “to show their national unity and Belarusian patriotism” and to come to the people’s assembly “For Peaceful, Neutral Belarus!” on October 4 on Freedom Square in Minsk.

We remind that on September 19 the president of the Russian Vladimir Putin ordered to sign the agreement about the Russian military air base on the territory of Belarus. There has been no public response to that on the part of the Belarusian leadership yet.