In mid-May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced new efforts by Russia to more actively engage Belarus in the war. These remarks were followed by an ultimatum demanding the dismantling of Russian retransmitters, to which Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov responded by promising assistance to Belarus.
That same month, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, confirmed that the threat of Russian offensive actions from Belarus is quite real. Later, Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Oleksandr Lukashenko must take concrete steps to de-escalate the situation. He stated that through intelligence, the SBU, and other agencies, messages were conveyed to Lukashenko about the need for tangible actions.
Ultimatum on retransmitters and the Kremlin’s response
On Friday, June 19, the President of Ukraine reported that retransmitters operating in Belarus are being used to control Russian drones. He gave Lukashenko a week to dismantle them, warning that if he did not, Ukraine would take action itself. The Kremlin, in turn, has promised assistance to Belarus, stating its readiness to take ‘all possible measures.’
In response to the latest statements from Ukrainian officials, Sergey Lavrov remarked during negotiations involving ambassadors that the aim of these statements is ‘to directly involve Belarus in the conflict and expand the geography of hostilities.’ The Russian Foreign Minister also reminded that an agreement between Russia and Belarus has been in effect since 2025.
‘If such a necessity arises, we are ready to take all possible measures provided for by the treaty to ensure the security of our ally,’ said Lavrov.
Source: Gazeta.pl