No one will be able to sit out - the CSTO countries discussed the situation in Ukraine

Against the background of pumping weapons into Ukraine by NATO countries, it becomes obvious that what is happening will affect everyone, and therefore it is time to reach a new level of geopolitical proportions.

The leaders of the CSTO member countries spoke about this at the anniversary summit in Moscow, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.

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“The collective West is waging a fierce struggle to maintain its positions. All means are used, including those in the area of ​​responsibility of our organization. From the rattling of NATO sabers at our western borders, to the unleashing of a full-scale hybrid war against us, primarily against Russia and Belarus.

NATO is aggressively building up its muscles, drawing yesterday's neutral Finland and Sweden into its network. Acts on the principle: whoever is not with us is against us, and hypocritically continues to declare its defensive orientation. Against this background, the truly defensive and peace-loving position of the CSTO looks contrasting,” said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.

“The US military presence is increasing on the western flank of our organization, the military infrastructure is being modernized at an accelerated pace, numerous NATO exercises are underway, and right now large-scale exercises “Defenders of Europe 19” are taking place in 2022 European countries, including near our borders in Poland. Who are they protecting themselves from? Guess for yourself,” the Belarusian leader noted.

Regarding Russian-Ukrainian relations, he emphasized that what is happening concerns all member countries of the organization.

“So far in the West, including in Washington, we see their desire to prolong the conflict as much as possible. This is why Ukraine continues to be pumped full of weapons. The goals are clear. To weaken Russia as much as possible, drowning it, as they say, in this war, or you can make it blaze wider. We are also seeing this. If this is the plan, then probably no one will be able to sit out,” Lukashenko noted.

The leader of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, expressed confidence that against the backdrop of the geopolitical situation in the world, it is time for the CSTO to expand its powers, including joining UN peacekeeping activities.

“As you know, at the initiative of Kazakhstan, the institution of a special representative of the Secretary General for the development of peacekeeping was established. Thus, all the necessary tools have been formed, and in our opinion, it is necessary to set the task of connecting the CSTO to UN peacekeeping activities. This step will strengthen the legal personality of the CSTO and ensure the organization’s practice of participation in international peacekeeping operations,” Tokayev said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin returned to the issue of NATO expansion and assured that there is no danger from Finland and Sweden, however, if NATO’s military infrastructure expands, the conversation will be different.

“As for expansion, including through new members of the alliance Finland and Sweden, Russia has no problems with these states. In this sense, expansion at the expense of these countries does not pose a direct threat to us for Russia. But the expansion of military infrastructure into this territory will certainly cause our response. We will look at what it will be based on the threats that will be created for us. That is, the problem is created out of nowhere,” said Vladimir Putin.

Let us note that the authors of the Telegram channel of the Center for Analysis, Research and Forecasting Balkan-Centre drew attention to the fact that the anniversary summit of the CSTO opened in the hall with the coat of arms of the Russian Empire. Experts expressed confidence that the general phrases of the official part should be followed by a tough conversation behind closed doors.

“Whether this is a message to the Russian Federation’s allies in the alliance or its opponents is not very clear. Most likely, both at once. Despite the connections in the bloc, not all members of the alliance acted as a united front with the Russian Federation in the Ukrainian crisis. Some, like Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, for example, have stated that they will not allow circumvention of Western sanctions through their territories and financial infrastructure.

Western observers suggest that the closed part of the summit may discuss the conduct of a CSTO peacekeeping operation on the territory of Ukraine, but we have certain doubts that Russia will ask for help. That’s not why the allies were led out through the hall with the imperial eagle,” the channel commented.