Putin reported deliberate actions of the West to aggravate the situation in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State in Minsk on December 6 that Western countries are deliberately exacerbating the tension of the conflict in Ukraine.

"Our particular concern is naturally caused by the state of affairs in the European region, in particular, of course, in Ukraine. Western countries are deliberately exacerbating tensions. They are the ones who brought the current tragedy to the present day and continue to exacerbate the situation," Putin noted.

The Russian leader also emphasized that it is the Western policy towards Ukraine that is leading the world to the dangerous brink of global conflict.

"We know the position of Belarus, the position of Belarusian President [Alexander Lukashenko], which is aimed at a peaceful resolution of this crisis," the Russian president said.

In addition, Putin said that Russia and Belarus provide each other with genuine allied support in world affairs in the face of external pressure.

On the same day, Secretary of State of the Belarusian Security Council Alexander Wolfovich said before the meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State that Russia would protect Belarus in a difficult moment, while the latter would always support Russia in return. Wolfovich pointed out that the situation around Belarus and Russia has changed radically. He called disappointing trends in the security sector, noting that the West does not want to have a strong and independent structure around them and provokes the SG to retaliate.

In addition, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow and Minsk are in favor of equal security for all. He specified that the agreement on mutual security guarantees between the parties will be concluded in the interests of both countries. The document spells out strategic objectives, while tactical nuclear weapons are out of the question.

The day before, December 5, Putin ordered to sign a treaty with Belarus on security guarantees within the Union State. The proposal of the Russian Foreign Ministry was agreed with the interested federal government agencies. Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Igor Nazaruk noted at the same time that both countries had changed their approaches to the use of nuclear weapons due to the emergence of new technologies.

Special operation to protect Donbass, the beginning of which was announced by the Russian president on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the backdrop of the aggravated situation in the region.