The state-owned BelTA news agency said that Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko informed Russia’s military minister on Monday that he needed reassurance that Moscow would protect his nation if invaded.
Lukashenko told Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Minsk, according to BelTA.
According to Lukashenko, Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed that such security assurances were required and needed to be formalized.
“The negotiations with Putin indicated that the Russian Federation would defend Belarus as its own territory if attacked. We need assurances like these “Lukashenko said.
Belarus, which hosts a Russian presence, has assisted Moscow in its “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Minsk first permitted Russia to mount an ineffective attack on Kyiv from its territory.
Since late last year, military drills and high-level Russian visits have raised concerns that Belarus may join a new war on Ukraine.
Lukashenko denied such ambitions but stated Belarus would respond to intrusions or efforts to incite unrest.
