President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday Belarus would disregard its economic rows with Russia and work closer with Moscow to counter US plans to erect an anti-missile system in eastern Europe.
Lukashenko, barred from the United States and European Union over allegations of rigging his 2006 re-election, quarrelled with Russia in the New Year over energy prices and has called for improved ties with the West. But he dismisses any notion that he must first improve Belarus's human rights record.
Lukashenko renewed his criticism of stationing parts of the proposed US system in neighbouring Poland and the Czech Republic during ceremonies marking Belarussian independence day.
"The eastward expansion of Nato's military infrastructure and planned deployment of parts of the US anti-missile system in countries next to Belarus seriously worsens the military and political situation on our borders," he told the gathering.
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