Russia Calls Belarus Can Enter Conflict If 'attacked'

Illustration of Russian military exercises on the border with Ukraine. (Source: Russian Ministry of Defense/Dmitry Shutov)

JAKARTA - Russian Foreign Ministry officials said on Friday Belarus could enter conflict in Ukraine if Kyiv decided to "attack" one of the countries.

Russia used Belarus as a stepping stone to attack Ukraine in February 2022, and since October it has deployed troops in Belarus for joint military exercises.

The two countries have since agreed to intensify their military cooperation, raising fears Moscow could use its close allies to launch a new attack on Ukraine from the north.

In an interview with state media, Foreign Ministry official Aleksey Polishchuk said joint Russian exercises with Belarus were designed to prevent escalation, but warned that Belarus could join the Ukrainian conflict if they or Russia were invaded.

"From a legal point of view, the use of military force by the Kyiv regime or the invasion of Belarusian or Russian territory by the Ukrainian armed forces is sufficient reason for a collective response," Polishchuk told the TASS news agency.

He added, however, it is up to the leaders of the two countries whether they will make that decision.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday his country should be "ready" on its border with Belarus, but so far he has only seen "words" coming from his neighbors.

"We don't see anything there, however we have to be ready both on the border and in the regions," President Zelensky said.