Tensions Ease at Belarus-Ukraine Border as Troops Withdraw

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced the de-escalation of tensions at the Belarus-Ukraine border and the withdrawal of extra troops. The move follows a buildup due to a security incident and Ukrainian troop presence. Lukashenko noted that Ukrainian forces had withdrawn, alleviating previous concerns.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, announced on Saturday that tensions at the Belarus-Ukraine border had subsided, and the additional troops deployed there were being sent back to their bases. Belarus's Defense Ministry had indicated last month that it was reinforcing its border following a security incident and in response to a Ukrainian troop buildup. A division of multiple launch rocket systems had been deployed to test their combat readiness.

Quoted by the official BelTA news agency during a tour of a border region, Lukashenko said that Belarusian intelligence confirmed Ukraine had pulled back troops from sensitive areas. "That means that those (Ukrainian) troops which had been brought in as reinforcements are now gone," BelTA quoted him as saying. "...There are now no difficulties with the Ukrainians, and I hope there will be none."

Lukashenko told regional officials that the additional Belarusian troops dispatched to the area should return to their bases. "Well, friends, we have to pull back our troops from the border," he was quoted as saying. "So that it is understood that we have no intention of fighting or concentrating our armed forces here, apart from special operations forces."

A spokesperson for Ukraine's border guards dismissed the notion of an extra deployment. "From the outset, the Belarusians created this threat for themselves and then lifted the very same threat," the statement said.

Russia had said that the Belarusian statements and deployment were "cause for concern." Lukashenko permitted Russia to use Belarusian territory to launch the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine but has stated he has no intention of sending troops to the conflict.

In power since 1994, Lukashenko relied on Putin's support to quell mass protests in 2020 over allegations that he rigged his re-election to a sixth term. The two leaders meet regularly, and Russia has deployed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus over the past year.

(With inputs from agencies.)