Russian President Vladimir Putin does not stop trying to draw Belarus into the war against Ukraine. If he succeeds, he will try to make it attack the NATO country, suggests Valentin Badrak, director of the Center for Army Studies, Conversion and Disarmament..

“Putin needs Belarus for one thing – to transfer the war from the Russian-Ukrainian to the international level. And this is Putin's last argument. Putin expects that in the event of such a scenario, the war acquires the status of an international conflict. If he hooks the NATO country with Lukashenka’s hands, this is a reasonable moment to force NATO to sit down at the negotiating table and end the war,” the expert stressed on the air of Espresso.

Alexander Lukashenko's statements about his alleged readiness to fight side by side with Russia against the West testify more likely to unwillingness to participate in the war, Badrak believes.. Disinterested, demotivated Belarusians will become a burden for Russian groups, not help. And Putin understands this very well..

“Putin is aware that uninterested, demotivated Belarusians are a burden, not a replenishment. The order to go to Ukraine is 50:50 for Lukashenka to sign the death warrant. Belarusians themselves can destroy this dictator, who has long bothered everyone,” Badrak stressed..