Lukashenko accuses neighbours of training radicals
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said on Monday that Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine were training Belarusian "radicals" for terror attacks, after announcing plans to deploy joint troops with Moscow. "The training in Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine of Belarusian radical militants for them to carry out sabotage, terrorist attacks and to organise a military mutiny in the country is becoming a direct threat," Lukashenko said at a meeting with military officials. The three countries, of which Lithuania and Poland are EU and Nato members, share a border with Belarus. Lukashenko also accused Washington and Brussels of sheltering "fugitives" from Belarus in order to turn them into a "political force". They "plan to significantly increase support for destructive elements, aggravate the situation on the western border up to the point of opening a second front on the border". Belarus relies financially and politically on its key ally Russia. Lukashenko allowed Russian troops into the country under the pretext of military exercises in the months before Moscow launched its military operation in Ukraine. Earlier on Monday, Lukashenko claimed that Ukraine was plotting to attack his country and announced the deployment of joint troops with Russia. (AFP)