NATO: Belarus to ‘soon’ join war in Ukraine

• The likelihood of Belarus joining Russia’s war on Ukraine is increasing, according to US and NATO officials.
• There have been no indications of Belarus participating in the war or preparing to join so far.
• However, thousands of Belarusian combat forces have recently been prepared for deployment.

US and NATO officials believe that Belarus is already taking the necessary steps to join Russia’s war on Ukraine “soon.”

A NATO military official stated on Monday that the likelihood of Belarus joining the conflict is increasing as Russian President Vladimir Putin “needs support.”

A source in the Belarusian opposition stated that thousands of Belarusian combat forces have been prepared for deployment and could soon go into Ukraine in the next few days.

The source believes that the impact of another country joining the war will be more geopolitical than military.

The alliance has made an assessment that the Belarusian government “is preparing the environment to justify a Belarusian offensive against Ukraine,” according to a senior NATO intelligence official.

Thousands of Russian troops had amassed in Belarus last month ahead of the invasion of Ukraine. Both countries claimed it was for training exercises, but some of Russia’s attacks came from Belarusian territory.

The US and its European allies have imposed sweeping sanctions to both Russian and Belarusian officials, including Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Last month, Belarus moved to amend its constitution to allow the country to permanently host both Russian forces and nuclear weapons. US officials told CNN, however, that they have not seen movement of nuclear weapons.

So far, there have been no indications of Belarus participating in the war or preparing to join.

According to the NATO military official, a final decision for Belarus’ involvement in the war still has to be made in Moscow.

The official stated, “It is not about what Lukashenko wants. The question is: does Putin want another unstable country in the region?” They explained that “involvement would destabilize Belarus.”

Officials did not elaborate on how Belarus could intervene, but suggested that Russia may try to cut off NATO military aid coming into Ukraine from its Western border.

Source: CNN