Politico journalists claim to have reviewed more than a dozen letters, diplomatic notes, sales invoices and export passports. The materials indicate that Belarus actively supported the Azerbaijani Armed Forces between 2018 and 2022, when tensions with Armenia were at their peak.
“Belarus supplied advanced weapons to Armenia's arch-enemy (Azerbaijan.- Ed.), despite the fact that both countries were considered allies within the Russia-led international defense pact (Collective Security Treaty Organization, CSTO. - Ed.),” Politico writes, citing sources.
Minsk was also engaged in modernizing old artillery equipment and supplying Baku with new equipment used for electronic warfare systems and drones.
The documents include letters from the Belarusian State Arms Export Agency to its own military-industrial companies regarding orders for the latest artillery targeting equipment for Azerbaijan, as well as correspondence between the two states that reached an agreement to purchase Groza-S anti-submarine systems.
Such actions by the Belarusian side “would be seen by Armenia as a cruel betrayal,” as both countries are members of the CSTO, which are obliged to defend each other in case of attack, the publication writes.
According to experts, Belarus, one of Moscow's closest allies, would hardly have coped without the Kremlin's tacit support.
Following the statement, Pashinyan directly accused Lukashenka of supporting Azerbaijan during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Yerevan then recalled its ambassador from Minsk for consultations. Belarus also recalled its representative from Armenia in response.
According to journalists, this circumstance influenced Yerevan's decision to possibly leave the CSTO.
Recall, Belarus and Armenia are members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), led by Russia. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are also members.
