Belarus Can Request Help from CSTO if External Threat Emerges

Belarus can request assistance from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) if an external threat endangers the nation's defense. This was stated by CSTO spokesman Vladimir Zainetdinov in an interview with RIA Novosti.

“If the defense of the country is threatened by an external danger, according to Article 4 of the collective security treaty, the country has the right to request assistance,” Zainetdinov said in response to a question about when Belarus might seek help from the CSTO.

Earlier, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that during a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, they agreed that Russia would provide assistance to ensure security in the country at the first request.

It should be noted that Belarusians have been expressing their dissatisfaction with the results of the presidential elections held on August 9, where the incumbent president was declared the winner with more than 80 percent of the vote, through daily protests and strikes.