OREANDA-NEWS. Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus would respond to the deployment of an “armored fist” in Lithuania, while there would be “no saber-rattling”, the Belarusian media reported. The president’s statement was made during the report on the military-political situation, risks, challenges and threats to Belarus, as well as proposals for response.

Lukashenko familiarized himself with the deployment of NATO troops in Western Europe, which was provided to him by the intelligence department. According to him, up to 600 military and 29-30 tanks, “armored vehicles with all associated personnel” are being transferred to the borders. Lukashenko noted that “troops have never been so demonstrative” to the borders, but added that Belarus is a peace-loving state that does not want to fight.

“We were preparing for this, so 30 tanks are simply ridiculous for our army. We can’t even make any body movements in order to resist”, said Lukashenko. The President of Belarus asked "politicians, journalists, bloggers and charlatans" not to call on the whole world to defend the country, since it can protect itself. Lukashenko instructed the military to prepare for the exercises to be held in Lithuania. He added that Belarus "has enough forces and means to respond asymmetrically".