Ambassador Babich says paying Belarus for Russian military facilities is strange
Mikhail Babich / ria.ru
The Russian ambassador to Minsk, Mikhail Babich, has called it strange to ask about the possible payment for Russian military facilities in Belarus. According to him, ria.ru reports, these facilities ensure the safety of the Union State.
In March, Alyaksandr Lukashenka declared that, despite economic disputes with Moscow, Minsk would continue to not charge for the deployment of two Russian military facilities in Belarus.
“When it comes to these facilities, it is necessary to understand that they are solving tasks in the interests of the missile attack warning system and other strategic security issues not only for Russia, but also for its military ally, Belarus,” the Russian ambassador stressed.
He said that Russia allocates "huge funds" from its budget for joint security. Therefore, the issue of rent charges, Babich added, looks rather strange.
By June 6, 2020, Belarus and Russia should decide on the extension of the lease terms for two military facilities in Belarus. The lease expires on June 7, 2021.
