Sharjah24 – AFP: France voiced concern on Friday that Belarus may become a Russian vassal state after dictatorial leader Alexander Lukashenko authorized Russian soldiers to invade Ukraine.

Russia, which had gathered 30,000 troops in Belarus for drills, transferred them over the border to its southern neighbour.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Foreign Minister, stated Belarus and its people "deserve more than to be accomplices and vassals of a brutal regime choosing war."

the invasion of Ukraine by Russia — in complete contempt of international law and signed agreements — represents a new and extremely severe step in Mr Lukashenko's subordination to Russia," he continued.

Belarus' position in the invasion of Ukraine comes after it edged closer to Russia after stolen elections in August 2020 prompted major demonstrations.

The regime's planned changes would allow Belarus to permanently host Russian nuclear weapons and soldiers.

"We will have to draw all the ramifications of this situation in adapting NATO's defence stance," said Le Drian.