According to CNN , in his speech on August 31, Mr. Lukashenko criticized the requests of the above countries as "absurd and stupid".
The Belarusian president also stressed that as long as Poland and the Baltic states - all NATO members - continue to host foreign troops on their territories, it is not legitimate to oppose the presence of members of the Russian private military corporation Wanger on Belarusian territory, CNA reported, citing state news agency BeITA.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko - Photo: REUTERS
“They have gone so far as to demand the immediate withdrawal of Wagner from Belarus. But they are also increasing the military budget, concentrating large military forces on our borders,” Mr Lukashenko added.
The Belarusian president also condemned Poland's decision in April to suspend its obligations under the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty in relation to Belarus.
"This is a dangerous step and we should continue to remind the Polish leadership of this so that their decisions do not harm themselves," Mr. Lukashenko said.
Earlier this week, Poland, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania asked Belarus to immediately expel Wagner forces. Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kamiński said on August 18 that these countries pledged to close their borders with Belarus if serious incidents occurred.
In early August, Poland announced it was sending about 10,000 troops to its border with Belarus, while Lithuania temporarily suspended operations at two border checkpoints due to concerns about Wagner.
Belarus has said since late July that Wagner members were training its special forces at military ranges, just miles from the Polish border.
President Lukashenko said his military would benefit from this because Wagner forces had fought for Russia in the most brutal of circumstances.
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