Photo: facebook.com/zelenskyy.official
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has responded to an apology from Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, saying that words alone are not enough and that Belarus must stop actions that help Russia wage war against Ukraine.
“Security along the border is extremely important for us. We are grown men. Nobody is offended by personal words. But when my country is harmed, we will remember it. If it was something personal and he apologized, then thank God,” Zelensky said.
At the same time, he argued that if Lukashenko truly does not want Belarus dragged into the war, he should take concrete steps. According to Zelensky, this includes shutting down equipment on Belarusian territory that helps guide Russian missile strikes and ending supplies of diesel fuel to Russia.
The Ukrainian president recalled that Russian missiles were launched from Belarusian territory at the start of the full-scale invasion, killing Ukrainian civilians. He said Lukashenko had apologized at the time, claiming he did not control Russia’s actions on Belarusian soil.
“I don’t believe that,” Zelensky stated.
He warned that Russia will continue trying to draw Belarus deeper into the conflict and stressed that Belarus has the ability to stop assisting Russian military operations.
“There are systems on towers near our border that help coordinate strikes against Ukrainian civilians. If he truly does not want to be part of this war, he can switch them off. A week would be enough,” Zelensky said.
He added that Belarus remains one of the main suppliers of diesel fuel to the Russian military and argued that Minsk has the power to halt those deliveries if it chooses.
“If he does not do it, we will,” Zelensky warned, referring to potential Ukrainian actions against infrastructure supporting Russia’s war effort.
The comments come amid reports that Ukraine is strengthening defenses along its border with Belarus following an increase in Russian reconnaissance drone activity near Belarusian airspace.
