US sees ‘no indication’ to back Ukraine claim that Belarus has joined Russia’s invasion

Ukraine has said Belarus had joined the Russian invasion of the country but the United States said later on Tuesday that it had “no indication” the claim was correct.

WITHIN NIGERIA recalls that Russia military operation invaded Ukraine on Thursday February 24.

The Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, in a tweet on Tuesday morning said it had confirmed earlier reports that Belarusian troops were on Ukrainian soil.

“Belarusian troops have entered Chernihiv region. The information was confirmed to the public by Vitaliy Kyrylov, spokesman for the North Territorial Defense Forces. More details later,” the tweet said.

A Ukrainian military official also said Belarusian troops joined the war on Tuesday in the Chernihiv region, without providing details. But just before that, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said his country had no plans to join the fight.

According to Politico, local media reported that Belarusian column of 33 units had entered the region, located north of Kyiv, with mobile communications cut.

Several hours later, however, western allies had not backed up the reports — and Belarus itself was rejecting the claims.

A United States defense official briefing reporters in Washington said the U.S. had “no confirmation that the Belarusians are entering Ukraine, we’ve seen no indication of that.”

Lukashenko denied that his country’s military has joined Russia’s attack.

“No decisions were made by me,” said Lukashenko, a steadfast Putin ally isolated internationally over his campaign to concentrate power and crush dissent. “And without my decision, these units cannot even be withdrawn from the barracks.”

The back and forth came two days after Lukashenko held a referendum on proposed changes to the constitution that would allow him to consolidate control of the country and end Belarus’ status as a nuclear-free zone — opening the way for a possible deployment of Russian nuclear weapons in the country.

Unsurprisingly, Lukashenko’s side won the referendum, according to Russian news agencies, citing Belarus’ central elections commission that 65.16 percent of those who took part voted in favor.