25th May 2023 – (Moscow) Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu has accused the collective West of waging an undeclared war against Moscow and Minsk. Speaking at a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Viktor Khrenin, on Thursday, Shoigu criticised NATO’s military activities, which he said have been most aggressive of late. He noted that the alliance has been deploying extra troops and military infrastructure in Eastern Europe, intensifying combat training and reconnaissance activities near the border of the Russia-Belarus Union State.
Shoigu’s remarks reflect the ongoing tensions between Russia and the West, which have been fueled by a range of issues, including Russia’s annexation of Crimea, alleged cyberattacks, and military activities in Ukraine and the Baltic region. The West has imposed a range of economic sanctions on Russia, which has responded with countermeasures.
The relationship between Russia and Belarus has also been strained in recent years, with Moscow seeking to increase its influence over its neighbouring country. Belarus has resisted Russian pressure, seeking to maintain its independence and sovereignty.