Leaders keep a wary eye on Belarus for signs it might offer Russia help in Ukraine
World leaders monitor Belarus for potential military support to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as joint nuclear drills and troop movements raise concerns. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns Belarus could serve as a new front, while France and opposition figures urge restraint on Lukashenko’s regime.
Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Kyiv on Monday amid Ukraine’s recovery from Russia’s largest missile attack of the year. The strike followed joint Russian-Belarusian nuclear drills last week, heightening fears Belarus may provide a launchpad for a northern Ukraine offensive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously warned that Belarus could open a new front, as Russian troops entered Ukraine from Belarusian territory during the invasion’s start on February 24, 2022. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Sunday, emphasizing the risks of Belarus deepening its involvement in Russia’s war. Macron also discussed regional tensions and Belarus’s relations with the EU. A Belarusian presidential aide confirmed the call focused on regional issues, though Lukashenko’s government maintains ties with Russia for energy and financial support. Russia’s Foreign Ministry warned of further ‘systemic strikes’ on Kyiv, urging foreign citizens and diplomats to leave and residents to avoid military sites. The warning came after Ukraine’s drone strike on a Starobilsk college dormitory, which Russia called a provocation. Ukraine claims the attack targeted only military facilities supporting the invasion. The Russian army remains locked in a costly stalemate along a 1,250-kilometer frontline in eastern and southern Ukraine. Ukrainian officials and allies, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, accuse Russia of escalating terror tactics after weekend missile strikes killed two in Kyiv. Shortages of U.S.-made air defense missiles, compounded by the Iran war, have weakened Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian attacks. Tsikhanouskaya criticized Lukashenko’s regime for failing to improve EU ties, instead engaging in ‘hybrid attacks’ and nuclear threats. Belarus’s opposition leader stressed that Lukashenko’s authoritarian rule relies on Kremlin support, including cheap energy and loans. Western sanctions have targeted Belarus for its alleged complicity in Russia’s invasion efforts.
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