United News of Bangladesh

More than four years after Russian forces launched their attack on Kyiv through Belarus, Ukraine is continuing to reinforce its border with its northern neighbor, keeping the area heavily fortified against any potential threat. What was once a busy border crossing has become a restricted zone filled with landmines and closed to civilians. Along the 1,084-kilometre border, roads are covered with anti-drone netting, while razor wire and rows of concrete anti-tank barriers, known as "dragon's teeth," line large sections of the frontier. An Associated Press team visited parts of the northern border earlier this month after tensions rose between the two countries. Ukraine had asked Belarus to remove Russian communications relay stations installed to extend the range of drones used in attacks on Ukrainian cities. According to Ukrainian officials, Belarus complied with the request, helping ease tensions between the two countries. Although Ukraine says it has seen no signs of a Russian troop buildup inside Belarus, officials insist that strengthening the border remains a key security priority. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly said his country's forces will not join the war unless Belarus itself is attacked. However, residents living near the border say they remain concerned that Belarus could become more directly involved in Russia's war against Ukraine. For many local people, the extensive fortifications serve as a reminder of the early days of the war while also providing reassurance that Ukraine is preparing for any future threat. Ukrainian border guards continue to patrol the area around the clock using armored vehicles, drones and advanced surveillance systems. Officials say work to reinforce the border will continue, describing Belarus—Russia's closest military ally—as a long-term security concern.

Bangladesh has expressed its willingness to work closely with Belarus to further strengthen the existing friendly relations. Non-resident Ambassador of Belarus to Bangladesh Mikhail Kasko paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently and discussed issues of mutual interest. Both sides held productive discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation in key areas, including agriculture, defence, textiles and RMGs, skilled and semi-skilled labour migration, IT sector, pharmaceuticals, and jute, the Ministry said. They also emphasised the importance of strengthening people-to-people contacts to further solidify the foundation of bilateral relations. Ambassador Kasko congratulated the State Minister on assuming office and conveyed the readiness of Belarus government to work with the new government of Bangladesh. Both sides agreed that different bilateral mechanisms, including Foreign Office Consultations, should be held more frequently to expedite discussions and advance cooperation in identified priority areas. The meeting concluded with both sides expressing appreciation for the warm and friendly exchanges and reaffirming their shared commitment to further deepen and broaden Bangladesh-Belarus relations in the coming years.

The upcoming Belarusian election is set to extend the 30-year rule of Alexander Lukashenko, who is often referred to as "Europe's last dictator." In the 2020 presidential election, Lukashenko claimed an 80% victory, leading to accusations of fraud, widespread protests, and a brutal crackdown that saw thousands arrested, reports AP. To prevent a repeat of such unrest, Lukashenko has moved the 2025 election from August to the colder month of January, when protests are less likely. EU may suspend asylum for migrants 'weaponized' by Russia, Belarus With many of his political rivals either imprisoned or living in exile, the 70-year-old Lukashenko is poised for a seventh term, solidifying his position as the only leader most Belarusians have known since the Soviet Union’s dissolution. Belarus, once part of the Soviet Union, has a population of 9 million and is located between Russia, Ukraine, and NATO member states. Its close relationship with Russia and President Vladimir Putin has been central to Lukashenko’s rule, with Belarus providing military support, including allowing Russian forces to invade Ukraine in 2022 and hosting Russian nuclear weapons. Lukashenko first took office in 1994, capitalising on public frustration over the economic collapse following post-Soviet reforms. He has maintained power through heavy reliance on Russian subsidies and has drawn criticism for his authoritarian methods, including suppressing dissent and holding elections the West deems unfair. His admiration for the Soviet Union is evident, as he has reintroduced Soviet-era economic controls and sought to reduce the prominence of the Belarusian language in favour of Russian. While Lukashenko occasionally tried to ease repression to court Western approval, such gestures ended after the 2020 election, which was widely regarded as fraudulent. Following mass protests, authorities conducted a sweeping crackdown, arresting tens of thousands and closing independent media and NGOs, drawing sanctions from the West. Many opposition figures are either imprisoned or in exile, with Belarus reportedly holding around 1,300 political prisoners. Belarus says Wagner chief who staged mutiny is in Russia, raising questions about Kremlin's strategy Ahead of this election, Lukashenko moved the election date to January, citing the need to engage in "strategic planning," though critics argue it is to avoid protests in the winter. In an attempt to ease pressure, he pardoned 250 people deemed political prisoners but has continued to arrest those perceived as dissenters. Unlike the previous election, Lukashenko faces minimal opposition this time, as most challengers have been barred from running. Early voting began on Tuesday, with the election concluding on Sunday. Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has condemned the election as a farce and called for a boycott. Lukashenko’s ties to Russia have strengthened, with a December 2024 treaty allowing Russian nuclear weapons to be stationed in Belarus. This agreement, alongside Russia’s new nuclear strategy, places Belarus under Russia's nuclear umbrella, increasing its strategic importance amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

The European Union on Wednesday gave a greenlight to Poland and other countries on Europe’s eastern flank to temporarily suspend asylum rights when they believe that Belarus and Russia are “weaponizing” migrants to destabilize the bloc. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans in October to introduce a law that would suspend asylum applications for up to 60 days as his country struggles with migratory pressures on its border with Belarus, angering human rights groups. The freeze has not yet been enacted. The number of migrants arriving at the borders of EU member states from Belarus has increased by 66% this year, compared with 2023. Belarus authorities are accused of helping migrants to get into Europe, including by supplying them with ladders and other devices, according to the European Commission. The EU’s executive branch also accuses Russian authorities of “facilitating these movements, given that more than 90% of migrants illegally crossing the Polish-Belarusian border have a Russian student or tourist visa.” It said that “in view of the serious nature of the threat, as well as its persistence,” EU member countries can temporarily suspend a migrant’s request for international protection in exceptional circumstances. Some migrants are accused of attacking border guards. The commission monitors EU laws to ensure that they are respected. The right for people to seek asylum when they fear for their lives or safety in their home countries is encoded in the bloc’s legislation and international law. European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen said a freeze on asylum rights should only be used “when the weaponization is posing security threats for member states and exceptional measures are needed.” New Indian central bank governor takes over amid economic challenges Member states would be permitted to restrict a migrant’s access to asylum rights, but only under “very strict conditions and (with)in legal limits," she said. "So it means that they have to be truly exceptional, temporary, proportionate and for clearly defined cases.” Virkkunen, who declined to provide details, said the commission is providing 170 million euros ($179 million) to Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and non-EU country Norway to boost their border defenses, including upgrading electronic surveillance equipment, installing mobile detectors, improving telecommunication networks, and countering drones that might be sent into EU airspace.  

Belarus Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko has congratulated Sheikh Hasina on her reelection of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. "On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Belarus and on my own behalf, I sincerely congratulate You a confident victory in the general parliamentary elections and re-election to the post of Prime Minister of Bangladesh," he said in a letter written to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. US urges to lower threshold while forming trade union: Law Minister Golovchenko said "This undoubtedly confirms the high trust of the Bangladeshi people, Your authority and the correctness of the strategy for the socio-economic development of the country." He said it is pleasant to note that the dialogue between our friendly States is carried out on the basis of mutual respect, trust and the interest of the parties in further successful strengthening of cooperation in the political, economic and humanitarian fields. China to speed up release of dev assistance to Bangladesh: Finance Minister The Belarus PM said he is convinced that the supply of Belarusian passenger and road construction machinery, electric vehicles and tractors, as well as continuation cooperation in the fields of pharmaceuticals, education, science and technology will contribute for building fruitful bilateral ties to increase the well-being of citizens of both countries. "I take this opportunity to renew invitation to You to visit Belarus at a convenient time," he added. UN Secretary General lauds Sheikh Hasina's leadership "Please accept, Your Excellency, wishes for good health, happiness and success in your responsible position, as well as the assurance of my highest consideration," Golovchenko ended.

The Nobel Peace Prize 2022 went to jailed Belarus rights activist Ales Bialiatski, the Russian group Memorial and the Ukrainian organization Center for Civil Liberties, the award’s judges said Friday. Berit Reiss-Andersen, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said the judges wanted to honour “three outstanding champions of human rights, democracy and peaceful coexistence in the neighbouring countries Belarus, Russia and Ukraine.” “Through their consistent efforts in favour of human values and anti-militarism and principles of law, this year’s laureates have revitalized and honoured Alfred Nobel’s vision of peace and fraternity between nations, a vision most needed in the world today,” she told reporters in Oslo. Ales Bialiatski, one of the initiators of the democracy movement that emerged in Belarus in the mid-1980s, has devoted his life to promoting democracy and peaceful development. He founded the Viasna (Spring) organization in 1996 following the controversial constitutional amendments that gave the president dictatorial powers and that triggered widespread demonstrations. Viasna provided support for the jailed demonstrators and their families. Viasna evolved into a broad-based human rights organisation that documented and protested against the authorities’ use of torture against political prisoners. Bialiatski was imprisoned from 2011 to 2014 and was again arrested in 2020 following large-scale demonstrations against the regime. He is still detained without trial. In Russia, Memorial grew to become the largest human rights organisation after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Memorial compiled and systematised information on political oppression and human rights violations being the most authoritative source of information on political prisoners in Russian detention facilities. It gathered and verified information on abuses and war crimes perpetrated on the civilian population by Russian and pro-Russian forces during the Chechen wars. In 2009, Natalia Estemirova, the head of Memorial’s branch in Chechnya, was killed because of this work. The organisation was stamped early on as a “foreign agent” as part of the government’s harassment of Memorial. The authorities decided that Memorial was to be forcibly liquidated and the documentation centre was to be closed permanently in December last year. But the people behind Memorial refused to be shut down and closures became effective in the following months. The other winner, Center for Civil Liberties, was founded in Kyiv in 2007 to advance human rights and democracy in Ukraine, taking a stand to strengthen Ukrainian civil society and pressure the authorities to make Ukraine a full-fledged democracy. The organisation has actively advocated that Ukraine become affiliated with the International Criminal Court. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February this year, it has engaged in efforts to identify and document Russian war crimes against the Ukrainian civilian population. The award follows a tradition of highlighting groups and activists trying to prevent conflicts, alleviate hardship and protect human rights. Last year’s winners have faced a tough time since receiving the prize. Journalists Dmitry Muratov of Russia and Maria Ressa of the Philippines have been fighting for survival of their news organizations, defying government efforts to silence them They were honoured last year for “their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.” The prizes carry a cash award of 10 million Swedish kronor (nearly $900,000) and will be handed out on December 10. The money comes from a bequest left by the prize’s creator, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, in 1895.

A murder case has been filed at Ishwardi Police Station in connection with the death of a Kazakhstan national in Ishwardi Rooppur Residential Project Green city in Ishwardi on Saturday night. Shvets Vladimir, 50, an employee of contractor firm NIKIMT at Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, was found hacked to death at a house in the Green city, police said.  His brother, identified as Amere, was admitted to a hospital with injuries. A court in Pabna sent three Belarus citizens to jail on Monday, a day after Iurii Fedorov, director of the contracting firm, filed the case accusing them of committing the murder, said Raihan Pervez, sub-inspector of Ishwardi Police Station. The murder suspects are Urbanavichus Vitali, 44, Fedarovich Henadz, 42, and Matsveyeu Uladzimir, 43. They work at Russian company Rossem. Also read: Kazakhstan national killed in Rooppur Nuke plant site  The three Belarus nationals were earlier detained by police. Later they were shown arrested under the murder case. The body of the Kazakhstan national was kept at the mortuary of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. In primary investigation police found that the two Kazakh brothers went to the room of three Belarus nationals to settle a monetary dispute. At one stage they got involved in heated arguments. Also read: Rooppur N-plant: 5 Russians die in 11 days, probe ordered Police are investigating the suspected murder,” said Raihan.

Delegations from Russia and Ukraine are expected to hold talks in Belarus on Thursday, a second round of face-to-face discussions since the Russian invasion eight days ago. In a video address to the nation early Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Ukrainians to keep up their resistance, but didn’t comment on whether the Russians have seized any cities. “They will have no peace here,” Zelenskyy said, calling on the Russian soldiers to “go home” and describing them as "confused children who have been used.” His comments come as Russia acknowledged for the first time since the start of the invasion that nearly 500 Russian troops have been killed in the fighting and around 1,600 wounded. Ukraine has not released a similar casualty figure for its armed forces. The U.N. human rights office says at least 227 civilians have been killed and 525 wounded in Ukraine since the start of the invasion on Feb. 24. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service has said more than 2,000 civilians have died, though it was impossible to verify the claim. Also read: UN Assembly votes to demand that Russia stop war in Ukraine Meanwhile, the U.N. refugee agency said 1 million people have fled Ukraine since Russian forces invaded last week. It marks the swiftest exodus of refugees this century. Also, the U.N. General Assembly has condemned the invasion and called on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine. Here’s a look at key things to know about the conflict: POSSIBLE TALKS The Ukrainian president’s office said Wednesday evening that the country’s delegation was on its way to the second round of talks with Russia since the invasion began, but it didn’t say when it was expected to arrive. Vladimir Medinsky, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aide and the head of Russia’s delegation, told reporters the Ukrainians were expected to arrive Thursday for the talks in the Brest region of Belarus, which borders Poland. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said earlier Wednesday that his country was ready for talks to resume, but he noted that Russia’s demands hadn’t changed and that he wouldn’t accept any ultimatums. WHAT ABOUT VIOLENCE IN UKRAINE? Zelenskyy’s office reported a powerful explosion Wednesday night between the Southern Railway Station and the Ibis hotel in Kyiv. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry is located near that area. Two cruise missiles hit a hospital in the northern city of Chernihiv, the Ukrainian news agency UNIAN quoted the city’s chief health administrator, Serhiy Pivovar, as saying. The hospital’s main building was damaged and authorities were working to determine the casualty toll, he said. And in Mariupol, at least one teenager died and two more were wounded by apparent Russian shelling. The boys’ families said they had been playing soccer near a school. Russia’s 40-mile-long (64-kilometer-long) convoy of tanks and other vehicles remains outside the capital, Kyiv. The city has has been struck by deadly shelling. Russia says troops have taken the Ukrainian port city of Kherson. The Ukrainian military denies this. Russian forces have also been bombarding the country’s second-biggest city, Kharkiv, and laid siege to two strategic seaports. WHAT IS THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION? U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi wrote on Twitter that an exodus of 1 million refugees from Ukraine to neighboring countries has unspooled over the past seven days. This amounts to more than 2% of Ukraine’s population, though some of those fleeing Ukraine are citizens of other countries. The U.N. agency has predicted that up to 4 million people could eventually leave Ukraine, but cautioned that even that projection could be revised upward. The World Bank counted Ukraine’s population at 44 million at the end of 2020. Also read: Refugee count tops 1 million; Russians besiege Ukraine ports The EU Commission says it will give temporary residence permits to refugees fleeing the violence and allow them to study and work in the 27-nation bloc. The move would need the approval of member states, which have already expressed broad support. U.N. CONDEMNATION AND WAR CRIMES INVESTIGATION The U.N. General Assembly voted Wednesday to demand that Russia stop its offensive in Ukraine and withdraw all troops, with nations from world powers to tiny island states condemning Moscow. The vote was 141 to 5, with 35 abstentions. U.S. President Joe Biden said the vote “demonstrates the extent of global outrage" at Russia’s assault on its neighbor. The resolution deplored Russia’s “aggression” against Ukraine “in the strongest terms.” General Assembly resolutions aren’t legally binding. The International Criminal Court’s prosecutor opened an investigation Wednesday into possible war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide in Ukraine, dating back to 2013 and covering the current conflict. Prosecutor Karim Khan said he did so after 39 of the court’s member states requested an investigation. Ukraine and Russia, however, are not among the International Criminal Court's 123 member states. ARE SANCTIONS HURTING RUSSIA? In Washington, the White House announced additional sanctions against Russia and Belarus, including extending export controls that target Russian oil refining and entities supporting both countries’ militaries. The U.S. is also joining Europe and Canada in closing off its airspace to Russian airlines. Additionally, Airbus and Boeing said they would cut off spare parts and technical support to the country’s airlines. The French-based Airbus and U.S.-based Boeing's aircraft account for the vast majority or Russia’s passenger fleet. The sanctions also threaten ultra-wealthy Russians who own properties across Europe and send their children to elite European private schools. Some have begun, albeit tentatively, to speak out. Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich confirmed Wednesday he’s trying to sell the Premier League Chelsea soccer club, with a price tag of at least $2.5 billion floated. He said net proceeds from the sale will be donated to benefit all victims of the war in Ukraine. Ordinary Russians are also feeling the impact of the sanctions, from payment systems that won’t operate and problems withdrawing cash to not being able to purchase certain items. Also, in a stunning reversal, Russian and Belarusian athletes have been banned from the Paralympics Games for their countries’ roles in the war in Ukraine. The International Paralympic Committee announced the about-face less than 24 hours after it had said it would allow the athletes to compete when the Games open on Friday as neutral athletes with colors, flags and other national symbols removed.

Ukraine’s border guard agency says that the Russian military has attacked the country from neighboring Belarus. The agency said that the Russian troops unleashed artillery barrage as part of an attack backed by Belarus. They said the Ukrainian border guards were firing back, adding that there was no immediate report of casualties. Russian troops have deployed to its ally Belarus for military drills, a move that the West saw as a prelude to an invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian capital of Kyiv is about 75 kilometers (50 miles) south of the border with Belarus. BERLIN — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has sharply condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine calling it “a terrible day for Ukraine and a dark day for Europe.” The chancellor said Thursday morning that “the Russian attack on Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law. It cannot be justified by anything.” He added that “Germany condemns this reckless act by President Putin in the strongest possible terms.” Read: Russia attacks Ukraine as defiant Putin warns US, NATO Scholz said in a written statement that “our solidarity is with Ukraine and its people. Russia must stop this military action immediately." He added Germany would coordinate closely with others within the framework of the Group of Seven, NATO and the European Union. BERLIN — The European Union Aviation Safety Agency is telling air operators of a high risk to civilian aircraft over Ukraine, reminding air operators that “this is now an active conflict zone.” In the bulletin issued early Thursday, EASA said that “airspace and critical infrastructure, including airports, are exposed to military activities which result in safety risks for civil aircraft. In particular, there is a risk of both intentional targeting and misidentification of civil aircraft.” It added: “The presence and possible use of a wide range of ground and airborne warfare systems poses a HIGH risk for civil flights operating at all altitudes and flight levels.” It recommended that, “additionally, as a precautionary measure, operators should exercise extreme caution and avoid using the airspace” within 100 nautical miles of the Belarusian- and Russia-Ukraine border. UNITED NATIONS — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says Russia's attack on Ukraine — as he appealed for President Vladimir Putin to stop his troops — was “the saddest moment” of his five-year tenure. The U.N. chief opened the emergency Security Council meeting by urgently appealing to Putin: “In the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia." But during the meeting, Putin announced early Thursday that he was launching a “special military operation” in eastern Ukraine. Guterres later urged the Russian president to withdraw his troops and added: “In the name of humanity do not allow to start in Europe what could be the worst war since the beginning of the century, with consequences not only devastating for Ukraine, not only tragic for the Russian Federation, but with an impact we cannot even foresee in relation to the consequences for the global economy.” “What is clear for me is that this war doesn’t make any sense,” Guterres said, stressing that it violates the U.N. Charter and will cause a level of suffering if it doesn’t stop that Europe hasn’t know since at least the 1990s Balkans crisis. BEIJING — Asian stock markets have plunged and oil prices surged after President Vladimir Putin announced Russian military action in Ukraine. Market benchmarks in Tokyo and Seoul fell 2% and Hong Kong and Sydney lost more than 3% Thursday. Oil prices jumped nearly $3 per barrel on unease about possible disruption of Russian supplies. Earlier, Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 index fell 1.8% to an eight-month low after the Kremlin said rebels in eastern Ukraine asked for military assistance. Investors already were uneasy about the possible impact of the Federal Reserve’s plans to try to cool inflation by withdrawing ultra-low interest rates and other stimulus that boosted share prices. Read:Stocks slump, oil surges over Ukraine conflict UNITED NATIONS — Ukraine’s ambassador at the United Nations has told the Security Council that Russian President Vladimir Putin has “declared war on Ukraine.” He also pressed his Russian counterpart to state that Russia will not shell and bomb Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya said Wednesday night that if Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia was not in a position to give a positive answer, he should relinquish the presidency of the Security Council, which Russia holds this month. The Ukrainian then asked for another emergency meeting of the Security Council, calling on the U.N. body “to stop the war because it’s too late to talk about de-escalation.” Kyslytsya then asked if he should play the video of Putin announcing military operations being launched in Ukraine. Nebenzia replied: “This isn’t called a war. This is called a special military operation in Donbas.” WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is condemning Russia for an “unprovoked and unjustified attack” on Ukraine. He promises that the U.S. and its allies “will hold Russia accountable.” Biden says he plans to speak to the American people Thursday after a meeting of the Group of Seven leaders. More sanctions against Russia are expected to be announced Thursday. In a written statement, Biden adds: “President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable.” MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a military operation in eastern Ukraine, claiming it’s intended to protect civilians. In a televised address early Thursday, Putin says the action comes in response to threats coming from Ukraine. He adds that Russia doesn’t have a goal to occupy Ukraine. Putin says the responsibility for bloodshed lies with the Ukrainian “regime.” Putin also is warning other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action will lead to “consequences they have never seen.”

Russia on Saturday sent a pair of long-range nuclear-capable bombers on patrol over its ally Belarus amid spiraling tensions over Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry said the two Tu-22M3 bombers practiced interacting with the Belarusian air force and air defense during a four-hour mission. The flight followed several similar patrols over Belarus, which borders Ukraine to the north. The mission came as the Kremlin has moved troops from Siberia and the Far East to Belarus for sweeping joint drills. The deployment added to the Russian military buildup near Ukraine, fueling Western fears of a possible invasion. Russia has denied any plans of attacking Ukraine, but urged the U.S. and its allies to provide a binding pledge that they won’t accept Ukraine into NATO, won’t deploy offensive weapons, and will roll back NATO deployments to Eastern Europe. Washington and NATO have rejected the demands. The West has called on Russia to pull back an estimated 100,000 troops from areas near Ukraine, but the Kremlin has responded by saying it will station troops wherever it needs to on Russian territory. As the tensions over Ukraine soared, the Russian military has launched a series of war games spreading from the Arctic to the Black Sea. The Russian troop deployment to Belarus raised concerns in the West that Moscow could stage an attack on Ukraine from the north. The Ukrainian capital of Kyiv is just 75 kilometers (50 miles) from the Belarus border. In recent months, Russia has conducted a series of joint drills with Belarus and repeatedly sent its nuclear-capable long-range bombers to patrol over Belarus, which borders NATO members Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. Belarus’ authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko, who has increasingly relied on the Kremlin’s political and financial support amid bruising Western sanctions triggered by his crackdown on domestic protests, has called for closer defense ties with Moscow and recently offered to host Russian nuclear weapons. In an interview with a Russian state TV host aired Saturday, Lukashenko charged that the Russian-led security alliance demonstrated its quick deployment capability when its members briefly sent forces last month to Kazakhstan to help stabilize the situation after deadly riots. “ While they (NATO) will be still getting prepared to send some troops here, we will already stand at the English Channel, and they know it,” he said in a reference to Western allies. The Belarusian leader downplayed the threat of war, but added that if it still erupts “it will last for three or four days at most.” “There is no one there to fight us,” he said about Ukraine. On Saturday, the German newspaper Bild published a report alleging that Russia is poised to attack Ukraine from several directions, capture major cities and install a puppet government. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova angrily dismissed the allegations. As war fears mounted, Ukrainian authorities launched a series of civil defense drills for residents. “I am here to learn how to defend myself, defend my relatives and also understand how to act in the situation,” Kyiv resident Ilya Goncharov said after taking part in drills on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital. “I am happy that I came here to learn the basics of self defense and first aid.” In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city just 25 kilometers (15 miles) south of the Russian border, thousands of people took to the streets Saturday carrying giant yellow-and-blue banners in the colors of the national flag in a show of determination to protect the city. “We want to show that there are people in Kharkiv who are ready to defend it and fight back,” said marcher Svitlana Galashko. Amid the standoff over Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Biden has ordered 2,000 U.S.-based troops to Poland and Germany and shifted 1,000 more from Germany to Romania in a show of the U.S. commitment to NATO’s eastern flank. Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled Moscow’s readiness for more talks with Washington and its NATO allies. As part of high-level diplomacy to ease the tensions, French President Emmanuel Macron is set to head to Moscow and Kyiv on Monday and Tuesday, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will travel to Kyiv and Moscow on Feb. 14-15. On Saturday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had a call with Macron and “they agreed that finding a diplomatic solution to the current tensions must remain the overriding priority.” READ: French, German leaders to visit Russia, Ukraine amid tension Johnson’s office said he and the French president “also stressed that NATO must be united in the face of Russian aggression” and “agreed to continue to work together to develop a package of sanctions which would come into force immediately should Russia further invade Ukraine.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke Saturday with European Council President Charles Michel, saying on Twitter that the tensions around Ukraine’s situation must be de-esclated. In 2014, Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula after Ukraine’s Moscow-friendly leader fled the country. Russia also threw its weight behind a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine, where over 14,000 have been killed in fighting. Amid the tensions with the West, Putin on Friday attended the opening of the Winter Olympics in Beijing and met with China’s leader Xi Jinping to strengthen the two countries’ alliance. In a joint statement, Putin and Xi declared their opposition to any expansion of NATO while affirming that the island of Taiwan is a part of China. Putin and Xi announced that the relations between Moscow and Beijing are “superior to political and military alliances of the Cold War era” and their friendship “has no limits.”