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Russian ambassador downplays Belarus` role in protection of western border

Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Surikov has downplayed Belarus’ role in protecting Russia’s western border.

“Some NATO does not threaten either Belarus or Russia,” the ambassador said in an exclusive interview with BelaPAN.

“In this regard, Belarus cannot act some shield protecting Russia,” he said. “There are more powerful and potent weapons that, if need be, can be shot over Belarus without any problems.”

As for Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s repeated warnings that he could charge Russia for using two military bases located in Belarus, Mr. Surikov said, “We have paid for them for many years to come.”

“We had to just write off Belarus’ $1-billion debt once, paying for these military bases, for that matter,” said Mr. Surikov. “If you look at the Black Sea Fleet, we are paying $17 million to Ukraine for it. But this is a whole fleet. Even if you take that billion and divide it by the sum, you will see that we have paid for dozens of years ahead."