Putin planning to intervene in Belarus
Vladimir Putin has confirmed that Russia will fulfill all its obligation in Belarus if 'extremist elements' are judged to have 'crossed the line' .
The Russian President said he acted after a conversation with Alexander Lukashenko, in which the incumbent president of Belarus asked if Russia would stand by its commitments to defend his country.
'I said that Russia will fulfill all its obligations,' Putin said from Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014 after the overthrow of the pro-Russian government.
'But we agreed that it will not be used until the situation starts to get out of control.'
Asked by reporters for the Russia-1 TV channel what 'crossing a line' would mean, Putin gave the examples of 'burning cars and looting'.
Since August 9 after the presidential election which was adjudged by Belorussians to be rigged by the president Lukashenko resulting in people coming out on the streets to protest.
Lukashenko is a personal friend of Putin and the two countries share mutual defence pact, .
Belarus borders three NATO states: Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.
Lukashenko has accused NATO chiefs of building of forces around the border. NATO said is merely a defensive move.
It is believed a Russian force has been on standby for at least one week as Belarus sees massive protests against Lukashenko.
Puitin cited a “union state” of Russia and Belarus, which has a customs union and defence protection element.
'Of course we have obligations to Belarus,” he said. 'And [Lukashenko] asked me in that respect: He asked to be given relevant help when it was needed.
'I said that Russia will comply with all its obligations.'
He said: 'As members of the Union State we are obliged to provide each other help in protecting sovereignty, the external borders, and in protecting stability.'
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