The leaders of Belarus and Russia Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko have agreed to deploy a joint regional grouping of troops, the Belarusian leader said.

“Due to the aggravation on the western borders of the Union State, we have agreed to deploy a regional grouping of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. This is all in accordance with our documents. If the threat level reaches the current level, as it is now, we start deploying the Union State grouping.

The backbone – I have always talked about this – of this grouping is the army, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus. I have to inform you that the formation of this grouping has begun. It has been underway for, I think, two days already. My order was given to us to start forming this group”, - said Alexander Lukashenko.