Lukashenka comments on Americans tanks in Lithuania

Alyaksandr Lukashenka has commented on the arrival of American military hardware at the training ground in Lithuania. On October, 28 the head of Belarus heard a report on the military and political situation, risks, challenges and threats to Belarus, as well as proposals for a response, BelTA informs.

The meeting was attended by State Secretary of the Security Council Stanislau Zas, Defense Minister Andrei Raukou and Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate -- Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Pavel Tsikhanau.

The Belarusian leader called the arrival of American military hardware at the Pabradė range in Lithuania The Armored Fist. "But 30 tanks and 30 armored vehicles is ridiculous against the Belarusian army. As I often say, we have carried out four modernizations of our army, and we understood perfectly well what "fists" will be created near our borders and what enemy we, God forbid, may have to face. We were preparing for this, so 30 tanks is a ridiculous amount for our army. We don't even have to make any moves to resist it," BelTA says.

At the same time, the arrival of American hardware was called by Lukashenka a demonstration step. He added that this is the first time it's happening, and Belarus will have to respond. "It should be understood that we don't have to rattle weapons. We are a peace-loving state, we do not want to fight," added Lukashenka.

He says he's watching closely how these topics are covered in the Belarusian media. The reaction in the Belarusian society was considered wrong by the head of state.

Lukashenka denied any conspiracy theories. "There is no conspiracy here. I emphasize once again: this brigade is not a rival of our Armed Forces. Frankly speaking, we can cope with them even with our mobile landing and assault units, which perform the relevant functions. We have enough strength and means to respond to such things, and not only to such things. That's why they shouldn't urge the whole world to stand up for Belarus. We can protect ourselves," he said.

The head of Belarus stressed that the army is ready to resist any aggressor. "You see the events in Syria. If Americans are with gasoline tankers or without armored vehicles, or even without weapons, everyone tries to stay away from them. They don't want to face the Americans, because some indestructible force will fall on them. This should be taken into account. The U.S. Army, NATO, stationed here in Europe, is really a force. But Americans should understand: God forbid there happens a confrontation, we (the military people) will not look at passports. Who will fight against us - Americans, Lithuanians, Germans or someone else... We're not looking at passports," Lukashenka threatened.

He warned the Lithuanian politicians and the leadership that the Belarusian side would take its steps - for example, we will hold a drill or something else. "And the Lithuanians should understand that adequate answers are one thing. But we have enough strength and means to answer asymmetrically, as politicians say today," added the Belarusian leader.