Lukashenka again saw the need in the emergence of a Russian airbase in Belarus – Vedomosti

the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko once again stated that sees no need to establish on its territory the Russian airbase. As reported by “BelTA”, he said this at a meeting with journalists and members of the public. “Say, a military base, even in Russia I hear it. Who are these 10 aircraft, which Russia wanted to plant in Bobruisk? he said. – I’m talking to Putin: we need to recreate the airfield, there was already a runway half disassembled. Say, give us 20 aircraft. We have great pilots, great school, you know that we know how to fight on military aircraft, we are a United group. No. Shoigu would not like that.”

according to “Interfax”, the Belarusian leader asked a rhetorical question that gives this military base. “What is in a modern war against NATO, say, a plane? 10 minutes of battle he took off, and it is not. War is different today. It’s in Syria you can fly when there is no air defense system”, – he noted.

In September of 2015, President Putin instructed the Russian defense Ministry to negotiate with Belarus about creation on the territory of the Republic of the Russian air base. The Russian government noted that the agreement will promote the organization of joint protection of border of the Union state in air space and creation of Uniform regional system of air defence of Russia and Belarus.

October 6, 2015, Lukashenko said that Minsk does not need the Russian military base, he needed planes and pilots he has his own. “Out of the question to place the Russian air base in Belarus, was never conducted. I know nothing about it. The person who should make this decision – I know nothing about it” – he said. On 11 October, the day of presidential elections in Belarus, Lukashenko expressed readiness to listen to arguments of Moscow. “If Russia sees what we cannot see (though we are closer to the West, we see more than Russia), Russia will tell us. Maybe we do something wrong,” he admitted. According to “BelTA”, the President noted that the question of the basis with Putin, he did not discuss. A TASS broadcast that Lukashenko promised that the issue will be discussed. The Belarusian leader also expressed willingness to rent or to buy 24 Russian plane.