Russian Troops To Remain In Belarus “Indefinitely”

The Guardian reports:

Russian troops sent to Belarus for military exercises will remain in the country indefinitely, Belarus’s defence ministry has said, in a decision that will further fuel concerns Moscow is planning an imminent Ukraine invasion.

Belarus’s defence minister, Gen Viktor Khrenin, said Russian soldiers would stay after large-scale joint drills were completed on Sunday. He said the move was necessary because of the “escalation of the situation” in the Donbas, in the east of Ukraine.

The Kremlin had promised to remove its forces from Belarus once the 10-day exercise, which began on 10 February, ended.

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Russian troops will remain indefinitely, says Belarus, as fears rise of Ukraine invasion https://t.co/rgsd2MvsIN

— Guardian news (@guardiannews) February 20, 2022

The foreign ministers said they “remain gravely concerned about Russia’s threatening military build-up around Ukraine, in illegally annexed Crimea and in Belarus.” https://t.co/urLxronSoK

— The Hill (@thehill) February 20, 2022

One aspect of Ukraine crisis that seems to receive less attention: Russia has essentially annexed Belarus.

— Anthony Gardner (@tonylgardner) February 20, 2022