NATO Responded to Lukashenko's Statements

According to Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg NATO has denied building up its military presence on the western border of Belarus. The Belarusian authorities are trying to use NATO's activities as a pretext to disperse the demonstrators. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Wednesday, August 26 in Berlin, TASS reported. "We see the regime's attempts to use NATO as an excuse to disperse the protesters, to use violence against people. This is wrong, because there is no NATO buildup in the region," he said. Earlier, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that for the first time in a quarter of a century he had to make the most serious decision, bringing the main forces of the army to full combat readiness because of NATO troops activity near the western border of the country. Recall, earlier Lukashenko announced taking "the toughest measures" to protect Belarus. Alexander Lukashenko instructed the Minister of Defense to take measures "to protect the territorial integrity" of Belarus.