Belarus’ defence ministry announced that Russia and Belarus would extend joint military exercises that were due to end on Sunday, putting an end to hopes of western countries that Russia would swiftly withdraw forces that could be used to invade Ukraine.
The ministry did not mention the time Russian troops will remain in Belarus. According to the Belarus ministry, the decision to extend the ceasefire was made because of increased military activity near Russia and Belarus’ borders, as well as an escalation of the situation in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbass.
Following the previous phases of training, the next stage will address defense areas that weren’t fully covered by the earlier stages, Belarus Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin said. “In general, its focus will remain unchanged, it is designed to ensure an adequate response and de-escalation of military preparations of ill-wishers near our common borders,” he said.
Russia’s build-up of forces surrounding Ukraine, currently estimated by the West at more than 150,000 to the north, east, and south, has prompted NATO to dispatch reinforcements to eastern Europe.
