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Transcript/ScriptBelarus Drills – Moskalkov
HEAD: Russia Extends Drills in Belarus – What Does It Mean?
PUBLISHED AT: Tuesday, 02/22/2022, 9:42 pm
BYLINE: Maxim Moskalkov
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER:
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Other (see courtesies) + TBD
PLATFORMS: TV only
SCRIPT EDITORS: KE(1st), BR
TRT: 2:57
VID APPROVED BY: Holly Franko
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE:
((INTRO:))
[[With Russia announcing it will continue its military drills with Belarus, many observers believe it is just another step by Moscow to prepare for a wider invasion of Ukraine. Russia had originally said the drills would end on February 20 – as Maxim Moskalkov reports.]]
((NARRATION))
The decision to extend Russian military drills in Belarus was confirmed by the Belarussian Minister of Defense.
((Viktor Khrenin, Belarus Minister of Defense (in Russian) ))
“Above all, they are aimed at preventing war. And our presidents often talk about this when they meet. We don't want war. But they don't hear us or don't want to listen to us. That is why a relevant group of troops has been created that will give an appropriate response if necessary."
((NARRATION))
The joint drills began on February 10th. It is unclear how long the Russian troops will remain in Belarus.
Meanwhile, the Belarusian independent TV channel based in Poland, Belsat, reports that a pair of nuclear capable bombers have been positioned in Belarus to patrol the skies over the region.
Both the U.S. and NATO members have expressed concern about the extension of the Russian military drills. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis is calling for more sanctions against Belarus.
((Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs))
"We have to be very specific about the cost for current build-up for Belarus. The very low-hanging fruit is the loopholes that were left after the fourth or fifth sanction packages imposed by the European Union. We're seeing that those loopholes are in some specific sectors, namely oil and then potash. We believe that they could be as part of a sixth package or at least an addendum to what was adopted before."
((NARRATION)) ((Mandatory courtesy: CCTV/AP))
U.S. experts believe the military drills have been extended with one goal in mind – to provide the Russian military with a third front against Ukraine.
((Donald Jensen, U.S. Institute of Peace)) ((Mandatory cg: Zoom))
“I think it’s unquestionably the case that they are there now to provide Russia with another front against Ukraine, should it decide to move – and particularly should it decide to take Kyiv.”
((NARRATION)) ((Mandatory courtesy: CCTV/AP))
Belarus’s involvement in this current crisis is not surprising, says analyst David Kramer.
((David Kramer, George W. Bush Institute)) ((Mandatory cg: Zoom))
“What we have seen for a long time, particularly in the past few days, is Aleksandr Lukashenko has completely surrendered Belarus’ sovereignty and territorial integrity to Russia. This has been going on for a long time, because it’s Lukashenko’s only way to stay in power – is to give in to Putin and demands from the Kremlin. So, the announcement on Sunday to extend the exercises in Belarus indefinitely solidifies the control that Putin has over Lukashenko.”
((NARRATION))
((Mandatory courtesy: Instagram/Баста!))
Meanwhile in Belarus, for the first time in many months, demonstrators protested Russian meddling in Belarus politics.
((Maxim Moskalkov, for VOA News, Washington))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Washington D.C.
Embargo DateFebruary 22, 2022 22:18 EST
BylineMaxim Moskalkov
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
