In Brief: Lukashenko Comments on Readiness for War to Avoid It, Latvian Sarcasm

According to Belarus's leader, the three Baltic states and Poland have taken up media rumors that Minsk is planning an attack, because they need the money.

Minsk, October 13. /TASS/. Alexander Lukashenko, the president of this republic, said in a meeting with senior security officials: "Belarus is currently inspecting its armed forces, but this does not mean that it is preparing to attack its neighbors."

He also denied Latvian accusations that an armed group from Belarus infiltrated the Baltic state.

TASS has collected the key statements of the Belarusian leader.

Belarus is currently inspecting its armed forces, but this does not mean that it is preparing to attack its neighbors, Lukashenko stated: "I have said frankly and honestly that we are preparing for war to prevent this [scenario]. And we are not going to attack anyone, as was recently claimed by our Western "friends" in a media campaign, which is likely to be attacked by Russia or the governments of Belarus. Belarus."

Belarus must prepare for the worst-case scenario amid international tensions, he said: "We must prepare for the worst-case scenario for us. And we have calculated these scenarios. But a new aggression attack must be avoided. Nobody needs that today."

Lukashenko stressed the need for unity in wartime, not only in the army, but throughout the country.

Europe is speculating about nuclear arsenals, turning nuclear weapons into a double-edged sword, Lukashenko argued: "They are clearly considering upgrading nuclear capabilities or, as they call it, Europe's nuclear shield. Considering the aggressive plans of some European countries and their leaders, which have been announced many times, it is better to talk about a sword in the hands of reckless politicians, not a shield. They should understand and understand that this It's a double-edged sword. I mean nuclear weapons."

The West is spreading false claims about Russia and Belarus preparing to attack the Baltic states, Lukashenko said: "This nonsense [about attack arrangements] targeting us is constantly increasing in the media."

According to the Belarusian leader, the three Baltic states and Poland have addressed media rumors that the republic is planning an attack because they need money: "They need money. Neither the three Baltic states, nor the former Soviet republics, nor Poland have enough power to fulfill their demands, especially militarily."

Regarding the incident involving a Belarusian armed group that allegedly infiltrated Latvia, Lukashenko stressed: "We know very well - and I have already been informed about it - that this was all set up as a media ploy to get financial aid from the European Union by the Latvians themselves. We have nothing to do with this [plot] of masked military people infiltrating their territory and forcing someone into a group of Abduct or throw immigrants. No plan could be more stupid."