Kuleba Warns Belarus May Be Preparing for Dangerous Escalation

Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has warned that recent developments in Belarus may signal preparations for a new escalation in Russia's war against Ukraine. Kuleba pointed to five key developments: continuous combat training of Belarusian army units with Russian involvement, increased focus on mobilization readiness, command-and-staff military exercises, strengthening of Belarus's air defense system, and intensification of coordination between Russian and Belarusian militaries. Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenko recently stated that the era of peace for Belarus is over and that the country is preparing for war. Kuleba believes Lukashenko's statement is not defensive preparation, but rather a sign of Belarus's potential involvement in the conflict. While Kuleba stopped short of predicting an imminent attack, he warned that Belarus's entry into the war would result in significant consequences, including drone and missile strikes and destruction inside Belarus.