Russia is trying to draw Belarus deeper into the war against Ukraine and is considering plans for operations from Belarusian territory against Ukraine or one of the NATO countries, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on May 15 following a meeting with the leadership of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, military intelligence, the Foreign Intelligence Service, and the Security Service of Ukraine.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine continues to record Russian attempts to involve Belarus more deeply in the war against Ukraine.
“We know that there were additional contacts between the Russians and Aliaksandr Lukashenka, the purpose of which is to persuade him to join new Russian aggressive operations.
In particular, Russia is considering plans for operations in directions to the south and north from the territory of Belarus — either against the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction in Ukraine, or against one of the NATO countries — specifically from the territory of Belarus. Ukraine has details of the conversation between Russia and Belarus,” Zelenskyy said.
He warned that Ukraine would defend itself “if Aliaksandr Lukashenka makes a mistake and decides to support this Russian intention as well.”
Zelenskyy instructed officials to strengthen the relevant direction in Ukraine and present a response plan.
