Ministry of Defense replies to BPF about withdrawal of Russian military bases

The BPF party has received a reply to its inquiry about Russian military bases situated in Belarus. The inquiry was sent to the Ministry of Defense and the Security Council.

The BPF Seim demanded not to prolong the term of the stationing of Russian military bases in Belarus on June 23. The party referred to the fact that the territory of our country would be the primary target in Russia’s conflict with a third party. Russia’s aggressive foreign policy conducted in the past 5 years is another argument.

There are two Russian military bases in Belarus now: the Russian Navy’s communication centre #43 ‘Vileika’ (radio station ‘Antei’) and radar station ‘Volga’ near Hantsavichy.

The agreement on the stationing of these objects came into force on June 7, 1996, Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Andrei Raukou replied. They will be in force until June 7, 2021. If Belarus decides to refuse from the agreement, it should be reported to Russia by June 6, 2020.

The necessity to prolong the agreement will be assessed on the basis of Belarus’ national interests, the Ministry of Defense noted

The suggestions made by the BPF Party will be taken into account when it is time to consider the issue, the Security Council replied.