NATO said that the alliance will closely monitor the “hybrid actions” of Belarus against Lithuania in anticipation of the upcoming exercises “West – 2021”
NATO is exploring the possibility of providing assistance to Vilnius, especially on the eve of the Russian-Belarusian exercises “West – 2021”, Secretary General of the alliance Jens Stoltenberg said on Twitter.
“Migration pressure and hybrid activities from Belarus at the borders of Lithuania are being discussed with [Lithuanian] President Gitanas Nauseda. NATO is closely monitoring the situation and is considering how we can further help our ally and ensure security in the region”, Stoltenberg said.
In turn, Nauseda specified that the actions of Belarus and Russia were also discussed in the context of the upcoming exercises “West – 2021”.
“Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, discussed illegal migration used by the Belarusian regime as a hybrid attack. The situation with regional security in the context of the large-scale exercises “West – 2021” was also touched upon. The Alliance must remain vigilant and prepared”, the Lithuanian president said.
Lithuanian officials regularly state that Belarus allegedly coordinated illegal migration to the republic. Most of the migrants come from Iraq, Iran and Syria.
The aggravation of the migration crisis in Lithuania and the deterioration of relations between the republic and its neighbors may be provoked by the desire of the United States to influence stability in the region, said Lithuanian public figure ilvinas Razminas.
“We need to be friends with our neighbors, not fight. Washington and Brussels are ordering that relations need to be aggravated so that they can go to Belarus and Russia by any means and “crush” them. This is the policy pursued”, Razminas said in an interview with Baltnews.
Meanwhile, Russia and Belarus say the exercises will not pose a threat to NATO or Europe.
“The scenario of the exercise is based on the emergence of a crisis situation that arose as a result of a conflict that broke out and is developing in connection with the activation of illegal armed bands, separatist and international terrorist organizations that enjoy external support”, stressed the head of the Belarusian General Staff Viktor Gulevich.
However, according to analysts, the lack of details about the upcoming exercises is of greatest concern.
“Lack of transparency is what scares the hell out of people in Lithuania, Estonia and Poland, as well as me”, said retired former commander of the US Army in Europe, retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges.
According to TASS, about 140 tanks, 110 artillery pieces and multiple launch rocket systems, as well as more than 30 aircraft and helicopters, will be involved in the West 2021 exercise. In addition, 12,800 servicemen, including 2,500 from Russia, will train in Belarus as part of the exercise from September 10 to 16.
Baltnews