Belarus could “soon” join Russia in its war against Ukraine, and the country is already taking efforts to do so, according to US and NATO sources, CNN reported.

Belarus’s entry into the fight is becoming more “likely,” according to a NATO military officer on Monday. “(Russian President Vladimir) Putin needs support. Anything would help ” the official elaborated.

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According to a Belarusian opposition source, Belarusian combat formations are ready to enter Ukraine as soon as the next few days, with thousands of forces ready to deploy. Per this source, this would have less of a military impact than it would have a geopolitical impact, given the consequences of another country joining the war.

Separately, a senior NATO intelligence source stated that the alliance believes the Belarusian government “is preparing the environment to justify a Belarusian offensive against Ukraine.”

Russia launched its attack on Ukraine from Belarus, and thousands of Russian troops gathered in Belarus before the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine last month, which the two countries claimed was for training exercises. In response to the war, US and European sanctions have targeted both Russian and Belarusian politicians, including Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

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Belarus amended its constitution last month to allow it to permanently host both Russian forces and nuclear weapons, though US officials told CNN that they have seen no evidence of Russia moving or preparing to move nuclear weapons.

According to the sources, there have been no indications that Belarus is currently involved in the fighting in Ukraine, and a senior US defence official stated that the Pentagon had not seen “any indications that the Belarusians are preparing to move in — into Ukraine or that they have made any agreements to do that.”

According to the NATO military officer, a definitive decision on Belarus’ involvement in the battle must to be taken in Moscow, and there has been no sign that Belarusian forces are now fighting in Ukraine.

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“It is not about what Lukashenko wants,” said the official. “The question is: does Putin want another unstable country in the region?”

“Involvement would destabilize Belarus,” according to the official.

The official did not expand on how Belarus may intervene in the battle, but said it made sense for Russia to try to block off NATO military aid into Ukraine from its western border.