Zelenskyy Demands Belarus Remove Russian Equipment Within a Week, Threatens Action

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued an ultimatum to Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, demanding the removal of Russian military equipment from Belarusian territory within one week. Zelenskyy stated that if Lukashenko does not comply, Ukraine will take matters into its own hands to remove the equipment, though he did not specify the methods.

Zelenskyy's remarks came during a press conference where he highlighted the presence of signal relay stations in two Belarusian regions bordering Ukraine. He asserted that these stations are being used by Russian forces to aid attacks on Ukrainian civilians. "What is the point of saying that he (Lukashenko) does not want to be at war? Let him remove this equipment, let him turn it off. I think a week will be enough for him to do it," Zelenskyy declared.

This demand follows repeated warnings from Zelenskyy in recent months that Russia intends to draw Minsk more deeply into the conflict in Ukraine. Russian forces initially utilized Belarusian territory for attacks in February 2022, at the outset of the invasion. Lukashenko has consistently rejected claims of deeper involvement but has affirmed Belarus's commitment to defending itself with Russia in the event of aggression.

In a recent interview, Lukashenko conveyed that Ukraine should not fear Belarus and suggested that both sides in the conflict should seek compromise to end the war. This exchange occurs amidst heightened tensions, including Russia's accusation that Ukraine conducted a fatal drone strike on a bus carrying Belarusian children through Russia, an allegation Kyiv denies. A woman escorting the children was killed, and eight others, including six children, were injured.

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