In 1997 Russia concluded a regional security agreement with neighboring Belarus. Now the protocol has apparently been hastily changed. So far, the changes are secret. The nature of the signature surprises observers.

Belarus has stood firmly with Russia since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Dictator Alexander Lukashenko remains Vladimir Putin’s closest follower. To cement this further, Russia and Belarus appear to have updated a regional security agreement signed in 1997. According to a report by the Kyiv Independent, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Belarusian counterpart Viktor Khrenin signed the protocol on December 3.

The content has so far remained secret. The type of signature in particular makes observers sit up and take notice. The Belarusian “Hajun Project” explained that the signing took place at the Machulishchy air base. This is “very atypical” and emphasizes “a certain hurry”.

Shoigu then met in Minsk. During this meeting, Lukashenko said that Belarus and Russia are training troops together. So far, Belarus has stayed out of the war in Ukraine, at least officially. Possibly Shoigu traveled to Minsk on Putin’s behalf to put pressure on the dictator.