What Is Vladimir Putin Up To? Russia Seeks To Build Army Base In Belarus

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Many are asking a question:  “What in the world is Vladimir Putin up to?”. The question isn’t coming from a place of anger, but rather it seems to be coming from a place of genuine curiosity.

While the US seems to continue painting out Russia to be an enemy, many are wondering what is going on “behind the curtain” in reality. Just recently, Russia sent jets to help fight ISIS (read here) and the US seems to be responding by announcing that the Pentagon is “reviewing plans” for a war with Russia (read here).

Is the latest revelation, that Russian President Vladimir Putin is actively trying to push its military boundaries westward by making it known they want to install a military base in Belarus, just another way to “respond” to Obama’s rhetoric?  Or, as many believe, is there something more to the story?

Yahoo! News recently reported:

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signaled his intention to establish a Russian military air base in neighboring Belarus — a move sure to unnerve Poland and the Baltic nations.

Belarus has made clear it would not welcome a Russian base, but the former Soviet republic remains dependent on Moscow for credit and energy.

Putin ordered the Russian Defense Ministry, with the participation of the Russian Foreign Ministry, to hold talks with their Belarusian counterparts and sign the agreement that is reached.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has not commented on Putin’s initiative. The two presidents met Friday in the southern Russian city of Sochi.

Russia has radar and a navy communications facility in Belarus, but this would be the first base.

Belarus is a desirable location for Russia because it borders Ukraine and three members of the European Union and NATO: Lithuania, Latvia and Poland.

“Against the background of the Ukrainian crisis, the stationing of a permanent Russian military contingent in Belarus will upset the balance of forces and facilitate an increase in tension in the whole region,” said analyst Valery Karbalevich.

As part of an effort to improve Belarus’ relations with the West, Lukashenko has stayed neutral on the conflict in Ukraine between the Western-aligned government in Kiev and the Russia-backed separatists in the east.

“It is obvious that the Kremlin really twisted Lukashenko’s arm,” Karbalevich said. “Belarus is totally dependent on Russia and has to pay somehow for the cheap Russian oil, gas and credits.”

 

Royce Christyn

Royce Christyn

Journalist at News Punch
Documentarian, Writer, Producer, Director, Author.
Royce Christyn

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