Ukraine has issued a warning to Belarus, threatening military action by the upcoming weekend if Belarus does not remove relay equipment located on its territory. President Volodymyr Zelensky has set a deadline of seven days for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, to dismantle the equipment used to direct Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian cities.
During a press conference in Kyiv, Zelensky emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that Ukrainian civilians were losing their lives and children were being injured daily due to the presence of the equipment. He made it clear that if Belarus failed to comply, Ukraine would take action independently.
The potential military move by Ukraine could escalate tensions with Russia, which is already attempting to involve Belarus in the conflict, a move Lukashenko has resisted so far. Zelensky also called on Lukashenko to cease the supply of petroleum products to Russian forces engaged in the conflict, highlighting Belarus’s role as a key supporter of Russian military operations.
While Belarus has not officially entered the conflict with its own troops, it has been a strategic partner for Russia, allowing military activities to be conducted from its territory. Recent events, including an alleged attack on a Belarusian youth sports team bus in Russia, have further heightened tensions between the neighboring countries. Zelensky dismissed Russia’s claims of Ukrainian involvement in the incident as a false flag operation orchestrated by Moscow to incite conflict.
Despite Moscow’s support, Lukashenko has expressed reluctance to involve Belarus in the war, acknowledging the country’s vulnerability to military threats. He emphasized the need to protect Belarus’s critical infrastructure from potential attacks, highlighting the delicate position the country finds itself in amid escalating tensions in the region.
Russian state media reported Zelensky’s warnings to Belarus, indicating the ongoing pressure and threats in the region.