Ukrainian president says Moscow is pressuring Minsk to increase military involvement in the war.
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Russia is actively seeking to pull Belarus deeper into the Ukraine war, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned.
Zelenskyy's statement indicates escalating Russian efforts to secure increased military support from Belarus, which has maintained official neutrality despite serving as a staging ground for Russian operations. Moscow has long sought to leverage Belarusian territory and resources to expand its offensive capabilities.
Belarus has faced mounting international pressure regarding its role in the conflict. The country's authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko has balanced ties with Russia against Western sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
Russia is pressuring Belarus to deepen its military involvement in Ukraine, according to Zelenskyy, despite Minsk's official neutrality. Belarus has already allowed Russian forces to use its territory as a staging ground, but Moscow now seeks expanded military support and resources.
If Belarus increases military participation, it could open a new front in the war, complicating Ukrainian defensive strategy and potentially forcing troop redeployment. This also signals escalating Russian desperation as its initial offensive strategy falters, which affects how long the conflict may persist and broader European security.