Belarus concerned about NATO’s increased activities on CSTO’s Western borders

Minsk is worried about the increased activities of NATO member countries on the western borders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the buildup of the alliance’s offensive capabilities near the borders of Belarus, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov said in Astana.

Ryzhenkov spoke about the “unprecedented rise in tension in the region and the world, the escalation of armed conflicts, and the militarization of international relations.” At the same time, the official expressed concern regarding “the activation of NATO member states’ activities on the CSTO’s western borders and the strengthening of the alliance’s offensive potential near Belarus’s borders.” The Belarusian foreign minister called for “stepping up efforts to reduce tensions and deepening substantive dialogue to build an equal and tight security architecture in the Eurasian territory as part of forming a new multipolar world order.” In this context, the minister recalled the II Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security, during which discussions on this issue were held.

Ryzhenkov also emphasized the important role of the CSTO “in strengthening security and stability in the Eurasian space and in ensuring the security of its member states.” He highlighted the significance of joint cooperative efforts on the margins of the CSTO to effectively respond to modern challenges and security threats.