Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko delivers a speech during the All-Belarusian People's Assembly in Minsk, Belarus, on April 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
Russia would send its troops to help if Belarus were attacked, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday.
"In accordance with our agreement, Russia will send its troops to Belarus. As for which units exactly, it is defined in the text," Lukashenko was quoted as saying by the BelTA news agency.
"We do not want an escalation, and we do not want a war against entire NATO," he said during an interview, adding that if invaded, Belarus would have no other choice but to make a quick response.
Lukashenko stressed that Belarus' response to aggression will be "quick and adequate."
Belarus reinforced its border with Ukraine last week, accusing Ukraine of violating its airspace during a military incursion into Russia's Kursk region.