A sudden diplomatic exchange may reshape security along Ukraine’s northern border. Expect tensions to rise as leaders weigh demands and possible responses.
In Moscow, Kremlin officials said that Russian President Vladimir Putin will soon discuss with Alexander Lukashenko Ukraine’s demand to remove within a week the retransmitters that adjust the strikes of Russian drones on Ukrainian cities. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, this will be a “good opportunity” to “discuss these and other issues.”
On June 19, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that at the Belarus border with Ukraine there is equipment installed that Russian forces use to adjust attacks on Ukraine, and he urged Alexander Lukashenko to remove this equipment within a week. According to the president, along the Ukrainian border on Belarusian territory there is special equipment that helps Russian forces adjust drone strikes. Intelligence reportedly knows of four such retransmitters in the Gomel and Brest regions.
Peskov called the statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy “absolutely aggressive,” “interference in internal affairs,” and “a violation of Belarus’s sovereignty.”
– Dmitry Peskov
The Kremlin said they have “no doubt” that Belarus “is capable of ensuring its sovereignty.”
Belarus is not directly participating in the war against Ukraine, but in February 2022 its authorities provided territory for the passage and deployment of Russian troops, and attacks from Belarus were launched against Ukraine.
Context and Outlook
In the context of these statements, observers note rising tensions in the region and emphasize that security talks between Moscow and Minsk may continue in the near future, despite the official phrasing from both sides. The situation remains highly sensitive, particularly regarding the use of the Belarusian border and the defense systems installed near Ukraine.