Ukraine is observing increased Russian activity in negotiations with Aliaksandr Lukashenka aimed at drawing Belarus deeper into the war. Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Kyiv is aware of the content of the talks.
“We clearly understand what is being discussed between Russia and the Belarusian leadership. There is now major activity from the Russians, I mean in conversations with Aliaksandr Lukashenka. They want to draw Belarus much deeper into the war and specifically launch additional aggressive operations from the territory of Belarus — either against our Chernihiv-Kyiv direction or against one of the NATO countries neighboring Belarus.
Of course, we will continue to defend Ukraine, defend our people, Ukrainians. I instructed our Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine to prepare a response plan, and we will review and approve it at the Staff meeting. We will strengthen the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction. Our partners also know what is happening and what Belarus is being pressured toward,” 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.
