Amid militarization of Europe: Buzin on how Belarus protects its borders

Against the backdrop of growing tensions near the western borders of Belarus and the purposeful escalation of the situation in neighboring countries, our country has consistently emphasized that the main goal is not escalation, but the preservation of peace and stability in the region. This opinion was expressed on the air of the program “PRO ARMY” at the “SSTV” Chairman of the Standing Commission of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus on human rights, national relations and the media, Doctor of Military Sciences, Professor Nikolai Buzin, writes sb.by.

Nikolai Buzin noted that when the surroundings are uneasy, when neighbors demonstrate not peaceful moods, and the world is gripped by uncertainty and everyone puts forward their claims to someone, it is especially important to keep abreast of the pulse:

- Just recently, there were repeated claims that we crossed the Latvian border. Poland is actively preparing for military scenarios, along the borders of Lithuania and Latvia, anti-tank fences are being erected - the so-called dragon teeth. Both the authorities and the citizens themselves express outrage at what is happening. But there is clearly a certain plan behind all this: the situation next to us is purposefully inflated.

According to the speaker, all this directly affects our people, ordinary Belarusians who want to live in peace and tranquility

- Every hostess involuntarily thinks: what if tomorrow a rocket arrives? And the day after tomorrow, will tanks start moving from one side? Such fears are not without grounds: aircraft regularly appear in the sky near our borders, the purpose of which remains unclear, and claims are constantly made to our state. That is why the President again and again clearly explains what is happening in the world, what is the position of Belarus and what the country is preparing for. Perhaps for the hundredth time, he stressed that we do not intend to attack anyone, but we will certainly defend our country. These words serve as support and comfort for people who are used to trusting their leader.

Nikolai Buzin told about the rumors about Belarus in the West:

- First of all, we are talking about the myth of the seizure of the Suwalki corridor, which has been wandering from one narrative to another for decades. This is a persistent, deeply rooted fiction. In the same way, the thesis that Belarus is about to attack Latvia, as if it is of special value for us, has no ground. But what can I get? The country is already going through difficult times. The same is true of Lithuania. At the same time, the President always emphasizes that we must live together with our neighbors. This idea is heard in almost every significant event.

At the same time, it is important for citizens to understand that the country’s leadership is fully aware of what is happening around it and is taking all necessary measures to ensure that Belarus remains an island of stability in the current turbulent world

- Everything possible is done for this. The participants of the meeting with the President – representatives of the entire power bloc – are called upon to ensure the security of the state. Representatives of all structures responsible for national security were present in the hall: the Armed Forces, border troops, the KGB, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Investigative Committee, as well as specialized formations. The entire force unit is complete.

As Nikolai Buzin specified, if earlier the main emphasis was on checking the combat readiness of the army, today we are talking about assessing the entire system as a whole:

- We have long gone beyond private issues and focused on global tasks to ensure the security of the state. Now checked, for example, the police brigade as an element of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and came to the conclusion: the brigade is ready to perform its tasks, as well as the entire system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This indicates that the right path has been chosen: people in uniform conscientiously perform their duty and cope with the tasks set. The Belarusian people have the right to be sure that the independence and territorial integrity of the country will be reliably protected from both external and internal threats.

The speaker reminded the head of state that Belarus is training not to wage war, but to prevent it. Therefore, even the repeated repetition of some key theses is not a threat, but the persistent conviction of our neighbors of our peaceful intentions. In essence, we are talking about the desire to revive the belt of good neighborliness.

- Why are these messages repeated over and over again? Because there is a growing tension on the other side. Just look at what is happening in Europe. At the same time, the appeals are addressed not so much to political elites as to the peoples of neighboring countries themselves, Nikolai Buzin said. It is unlikely to change the views of the Western leadership, the whole of Europe is now moving towards militarization. That is the course chosen there today. And to justify the deterioration of the well-being of citizens, the closure of enterprises and the growth of unemployment, a convincing argument is needed. In their picture of the world, such an argument is the presence of an enemy, and this enemy for them is the Union State - Russia and Belarus. Russia is perceived as a serious threat and Belarus as an object of constant pressure and attempts at influence.

Apparently, some European politicians still have an outdated narrative in their heads: they continue to view Belarus separately, outside the context of the single defense space of the Union State. This old narrative persists, causing a certain "political itch." But the bottom line is that even though they understand its inconsistency, the Western elite sees no other course of action.

- Therefore, the President directly addresses the peoples of neighboring states – Spaniards, French, Lithuanians, Latvians, Poles, the expert said. At the same time, the contrast is particularly telling: when similar processes unfolded in our country, we were harshly criticized, accused of being undemocratic, of disregarding the principles of good neighborliness. Today, similar actions in France are presented as permissible: there it is permissible to use force, use tear gas, maim people – and this is presented as the norm. Nevertheless, the President chooses precise words and arguments to remind his neighbors that it is better to live in peace, to seek mutually acceptable solutions. This approach may not appeal to the elites, but it reflects the real position of the Belarusian society and the country’s leadership.

See the project "PRO ARMY" on Fridays at 12:00 on the YouTube channel "SBTV" and the program is also available on the portal VIDEOBEL.BY.