A week long ultimatum raises the stakes along the Belarus border, as Kyiv accuses relay sites of guiding strikes against civilians.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that along the Ukrainian-Belarusian border there are retransmitters that are used to adjust Russian strikes against Ukraine’s civilian population. He stressed that the Belarusian side can independently dismantle these devices, and if they do not do so within a week, Ukraine may take appropriate action. He voiced this position during a conversation with journalists in Kyiv, together with Nasri Asfoura.
“Russia will now continue to push him into this war. He now understands that Ukraine will respond. No need for extra words. On his towers today there are retransmitters – Russian retransmitters or Belarusian ones, what difference does it make to us? On his territory along two regions bordering Ukraine, there is equipment that directs fire at the Ukrainian population. Specifically against civilians. There is not currently such a strong front where Ukraine and Belarus meet. Civilians are being killed there. There are retransmitters on the respective towers. He can remove it. Why speak of him not wanting to be in the war? Let him remove this equipment, let him switch off this equipment. I think a week will be enough for him to do this. Why am I talking about a week? Because every day our civilians are dying and children are being injured because of this. If he does not do this, we will.”
– Volodymyr Zelensky
In addition, the president said that Ukraine is doing everything possible so that the Russian leadership cannot sell oil and supply diesel and fuel to the army. According to him, Belarus’s oil refining industry remains one of the key suppliers for the Russian army.
Also Zelensky recalled that at the start of the full-scale war, Ukrainian territory was attacked by missiles from Belarus. According to him, Lukashenko then called, apologized, and said that he could not control it, but the Ukrainian president does not believe his words.
Zelensky also commented on the recent situation when Lukashenko, on the air of one of the media, apologized to the president of Ukraine. He stressed that border security for Ukraine is a priority, and emphasized that both countries are mature and there is no need to let personal insults undermine the strength of relations between states.
The situation at the border remains tense, but Kyiv continues to work on ensuring security and stability in the region, preserving Ukraine’s sovereignty and protecting its citizens.