Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to engage in discussions with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko regarding Ukraine’s recent request to dismantle military relay stations within a week. This announcement was made by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
Peskov confirmed that Lukashenko had previously mentioned the topic and that the upcoming talks would provide an opportunity to address this and other related issues. He characterized Ukraine’s demands as an “aggressive threat” and an “interference in internal affairs,” asserting that they infringe upon Belarus’s sovereignty.
On June 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted the presence of military equipment along the Belarus-Ukraine border, which he claimed is being utilized by Russia for drone strikes against Ukrainian cities. Zelensky emphasized that Belarus has one week to remove this equipment, stating, “If it does not comply, we will take action ourselves.”
Earlier, on May 26, the commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, indicated that Ukraine had identified 500 potential targets in Belarus should the self-proclaimed president Lukashenko decide to enter the conflict.
Lukashenko had previously responded to Brovdi’s statements by threatening to strike a significant target in Ukraine, claiming that Minsk possessed its coordinates. He later issued an apology for his harsh remarks directed at Zelensky.
On April 17, Zelensky expressed concerns that Moscow was attempting to draw Minsk into the ongoing conflict, noting the construction of roads and artillery positions in border areas of Belarus aimed at Ukraine.
Discussions between Putin and Lukashenko are expected to focus on Ukraine's demand for the removal of military relay stations in Belarus. This follows heightened tensions regarding military activities along the Belarus-Ukraine border.