A. Lukashenko approved the Plan for the use of the regional grouping of troops of Belarus and Russia

November 22, Minsk / Vladimir Matveev - BELTA /. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has approved the Plan for the Use of the Regional Grouping of Forces (Troops) of Belarus and Russia. This was announced to journalists today by State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus Leonid Maltsev, according to a BELTA correspondent. "The Plan for the Use of the Regional Grouping of Forces of Belarus and Russia has been reviewed. The Plan has been approved, there are no comments on the plan," Leonid Maltsev said. "However, the President, as Chairman of the Supreme State Council of the Union State, has decided to approve this plan at a meeting of the SSC, as it is a very important document." According to Leonid Maltsev, the relevant issue will be included in the agenda of the SSC meeting of the Union State. "The document is very important, and it has been decided that it is inexpedient to sign it without discussion at the SSC," he noted. Regarding the issue of Russia supporting Belarus in ensuring the security of the Union State, for example, with armaments (this was previously stated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. - BELTA note), Leonid Maltsev said: "The plan for the use of the grouping includes not only the tactical concept, but also a system of comprehensive support for this grouping, including armaments and equipment." He noted that if it is a joint grouping, then Russia should also participate in providing armaments and equipment for this regional grouping. The State Secretary of the Security Council added that these issues will be considered when approving the Plan for the Use of the Regional Grouping of Forces (Troops) at the Supreme State Council. The issue of what exactly Russia's participation in ensuring the Regional Grouping of Forces (Troops) should entail should also be the subject of discussion at the SSC, Leonid Maltsev believes. "The understanding that we have approved the plan and that's all is incorrect. After all, the grouping needs to be provided with armaments, equipment, ammunition, fuel and lubricants, and so on," he said. "Therefore, the discussion was about how to ensure fair, reasonable, comprehensive support for the grouping. No one intends to shift responsibility from themselves or, conversely, to burden someone else." -0-