Putin interested in using Belarus' strategic position in war against Ukraine - oppositionist Latushko

A member of the Belarusian opposition government believes that the scenario of an invasion of Ukraine from the territory of Belarus is quite real.

“For the time being, we observe a pretty active stage for the preparation of a possible aggression from the territory of Belarus. There is constant military training on the territory of Belarus, and the grouping of the Russian Armed Forces is increasing. We see that certain equipment has been sent to the military base, and right now Lukashenko assists Putin from the territory of Belarus to build up the opportunity of the possible invasion. The question of invasion is the question of the future, and this scenario is pretty real, because Putin is interested in using the strategic position of Belarus in the war against Ukraine. And Lukashenko is Putin's puppet, so he will carry out every order,” he said. 

The deputy head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus believes that Lukashenko's main fear is losing power.

“Lukashenko is afraid to lose his power. Power is everything he holds, it's his locomotive. Of course, we understand that Lukashenko is afraid of the Belarusian people, and because of this up till now he hasn't made up his mind in order to deploy his armed forces on the territory of Ukraine. Lukashenko is running around Putin to receive more economic bonuses. Therefore, right now his main fear is that if the Belarusian armed forces will go into Ukraine, there will be a lot of corpses, and it will trigger a certain reaction,” he said. 

Pavel Latushka believes that Putin should not force Belarusian troops to invade Ukraine. 

“Is it necessary for Putin right now to make Lukashenko send his troops in Ukraine? My answer is no. Because if this happens, there will be a pre-revolutionary crisis in Belarus, and Putin will be forced to deal with it.”