Lukashenko Asserts Russian Troops Can Come within 24 Hours if There’s a Crisis

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, in remarks devoted to details of his meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi last week, said that there are no plans to permanently deploy Russian troops on the territory of Belarus, because if there is a crisis involving NATO, Russian troops can respond within 24 hours. “There were no discussions with regards to the deployment of Russia’s armed forces on a permanent basis, or the creation of any bases, this wasn’t even mentioned. And we don’t need this. Since, according to our concept of the military security of the Union State, so far there is no urgent need. If there is some apprehension, if we see activation in NATO to the point of a military conflict — within 24 hours (our bases, airfields and so on have been determined), the Russian units and troops will be deployed to Belarus,” Lukashenko said, TASS reported, citing the SB Belarus Segodnya newspaper.