Neither Russia nor Belarus wants a war on their western borders, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said during a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov.

“We are preparing for war, but are trying to avoid it in every possible way. No one wants it. But we should always be prepared so that it does not happen,” Lukashenko said, according to the Pul Pervogo Telegram channel, which is close to the presidential press service. “That is why our joint group of forces on the western flank will always be necessary, and today it is fully operational,” the Belarusian leader added.