President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko expressed his intentions to hold joint exercises of the Belarusian and Russian military on the border with Ukraine. Earlier, the Belarusian Defense Ministry noted increased military activity on the part of Ukraine and neighboring European countries. This cannot be left without a proper response - the department counted and ordered to take retaliatory measures, RIA Novosti reports.

Lukashenko confirmed that he had already spoken about joint exercises with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The leaders of the countries came to the conclusion - to conduct military maneuvers in two stages with a difference of a month. The first stage of the maneuvers will begin shortly, preparations for it have been completed.

“We have agreed with President Putin to hold joint exercises on the southern borders, on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border,” Lukashenka said.

Earlier, the President of Belarus announced that the West was building up a strike group of troops near the borders of the republic. At the same time, the leader of the country stressed that the Belarusian army has everything necessary to repel any aggression.