Collection of signatures against Russian airbase started in Baranavičy

In Baranavičy, representatives of political parties and non-governmental organizations have started collecting signatures against the deployment of a Russian airbase in Belarus.

“Article 18 of the Constitution states that the Republic of Belarus pledges itself to make its territory a nuclear-free zone, and be a neutral state. We believe that the deployment of a Russian air base on our land is contrary to our Constitution and the people's mood. Our citizens want to live with our neighbors in peace and harmony rather than in conflict and confrontation. So we decided to collect as many signatures as we can and send them to the state authorities, to emphasize that we do not want our territory to be used for military purposes against our neighbors. We would especially like to point out, that Belarusians are against sending their children to hostilities abroad where they would struggle for some foreign interests,” said an activist of the movement "For Freedom" Viktar Syrytsa.

The activist also emphasized that the events in Ukraine and especially in Syria add confidence in the necessity to counteract the deployment of a Russian airbase in Belarus.