Belarus’ authoritarian president says he has no intention of sending troops to Syria to serve alongside Russian forces in the country, but is holding the door open for a potential deployment of military medics there.
President Alexander Lukashenko’s comment followed the publication of a draft agreement between Russia and Belarus that envisages the deployment of up to 200 Belarusian military personnel to Syria.
“I haven’t sent anyone there,” Lukashenko says, adding that Syria had asked for humanitarian assistance and he discussed sending military medics there at some point.
“If they need doctors, we will offer help,” he says. “But not now — we have plenty of our own problems now and the pandemic isn’t over.”
Lukashenko notes that Belarusian and Russian authorities had discussed logistics to accommodate the Belarusian personnel if they are sent to Syria.
Some observers see Lukashenko’s backpedaling on the announced deployment as part of his bargaining with Moscow for bigger financial assistance.
“Lukashenko again engages in a familiar haggling pattern, demanding pay for every step in support of the Kremlin,” said independent analyst Valery Karbalevich.
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