Aliaksandr Lukashenka considers the operation of the CSTO forces in Kazakhstan brilliant. In his opinion, it should be marked down in history books. He stated this today during a meeting with Sergei Shoigu, the Minister of Defense of Russia.
«Time will pass – they will mark it down in history books. It was a brilliant operation,» Lukashenka said, his press service reports.
Shoigu noted the personal contribution of Lukashenka and Putin to the operation, and also tried to connect the ongoing verification of the Union State’s rapid reaction forces, which should end with the «Union Resolve – 2022» exercise, with the events in Kazakhstan.
«You noted right that January forced us to start these exercises, inspections and joint work much earlier: it was Kazakhstan. Of course, thanks to the prompt work of the presidents: you, Vladimir Vladimirovich, your colleagues in the CSTO , this operation was carried out in the shortest time and, as life already shows today, very timely,» the Russian Minister said.
Let us recall, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev amid the unrest in the country requested military assistance from the CSTO on January 5. It was called a peacekeeping mission. CSTO forces began to be transferred to Kazakhstan on January 6. Belarus took part in a peacekeeping mission. In total, 2,030 servicemen from Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Armenia arrived in Kazakhstan. The basis of the contingent was made up of Russians. Their transfer lasted several days, and on January 10, Tokayev said that the mission would end in the coming days. The next day, he officially announced that it would end on January 13. On January 14, the Belarusian contingent returned to their homeland, and a day later Lukashenka arranged a solemn meeting ceremony, spoke to the soldiers, and the Minister of Defense presented them with awards.
Source: Reform.by
