Ukraine is assessing the potential threat posed by Belarus in the context of its ongoing conflict with Russia, but is refraining from making hasty conclusions about Belarus’s involvement. This statement was made by Pavlo Palisa, the Deputy Head of the President’s Office, during an interview with 24 Channel.
Palisa emphasized that as long as a pro-Putin regime remains in Belarus, the country will be viewed as a potential threat. He recalled that prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, whose legitimacy is disputed by several democratic nations, claimed that his country would never attack Ukraine.
“We all remember the outcome. Therefore, we are mindful of this threat and respond accordingly,” Palisa noted.
He also addressed a recent observation regarding Russian drones avoiding Belarusian territory during a significant attack. Palisa suggested that while Russia may not be launching operations from Belarus, it could be utilizing equipment from within Belarus to control those drones.
On May 15, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Moscow is attempting to further involve the Belarusian government in the conflict against Ukraine and is planning an attack option from Belarusian territory. In response, he instructed the Defense Forces to prepare a plan to address potential threats from Belarus and to bolster defenses along the Chernihiv-Kyiv axis.
Ukrainian officials are closely monitoring the situation in Belarus, viewing it as a potential threat due to its alignment with Russia. Recent statements highlight concerns over Belarus's role in the ongoing conflict and preparations to counter possible aggression from its territory.