KYIV (Reuters – Kyiv will not be harmed if Belarus joins Russia in the war effort against Ukraine, a representative of Ukraine’s State Border Service stated Wednesday.

Belarus, which is a close ally to Russia said that it had started large-scale drills to prove its combat readiness on Wednesday and they did not pose a threat for its neighboring countries.

Andriy Demchenko, spokesperson for Ukraine’s State Border Service stated that it is possible for the Russian Federation to use the Belarusian Territory, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus at one point against Ukraine.

He stated, “Therefore,” adding that Belarus was now ready to defend its border against Russia after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2014.

After holding joint drills in Belarus, Russia ordered the invasion. This had enabled it to bring more troops closer to Ukraine’s border.

In the first stage, Russia attacked areas of Ukraine bordering Belarus. However, Russian forces are now focusing on Ukraine’s east and southeast regions.

Demchenko stated that Ukraine has also strengthened its border with Transdniestria (Russia-backed Transdniestria), where tensions are rising after local authorities claimed it had been subject to several attacks.

Ukrainian officials are concerned about Transdniestria’s situation. They also condemned Russian attempts to drag Transdniestria into Russia’s war against Ukraine. Moscow expressed its concern as well and indicated that it closely monitors events in Transdniestria.

The U.S. Ambassador to Moldova Kent Logsdon stated Wednesday that Russia’s invasion in Ukraine and its attempt to redraw Europe with gunspoint are a source of concern for the entire world.

However, he said to a Moldovan conference that Washington didn’t have evidence Moscow was trying to prolong the war in Moldova. He also stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin would lose it.