"Belarus Bolsters Emergency Ministry Amid Rising Conflict Concerns"
The Belarusian ministry of emergency situations is arming and training its personnel to be prepared to assist the defence and internal ministries in the event of an armed conflict or riots. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has expressed his desire for every citizen to be able to handle weapons in response to aggression. Belarus has allowed Russia to use its territory for military exercises and as a base for nuclear weapons, leading to condemnation from the West. Lukashenko's close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin have raised concerns in Ukraine about the possibility of Belarus joining a ground offensive in Ukraine.