Key facts
- Ukraine demanded Belarus remove Russian signal relay stations within one week.
- Kyiv stated the stations are used to guide Russian drone attacks on Ukraine.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy threatened unspecified action if Belarus did not comply.
- The Kremlin accused Ukraine of aggressive interference and an encroachment on Belarus's sovereignty.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko are expected to discuss the matter.
The Kremlin has accused Ukraine of threatening the sovereignty of Belarus, a close Russian ally, following a demand from Kyiv for Minsk to remove Russian signal relay stations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that Belarus has one week to dismantle the equipment, which Kyiv claims is used to guide Russian drone attacks, threatening unspecified action if the demand is not met.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denounced the ultimatum as "utterly aggressive interference in the internal affairs of another country and an encroachment on another country’s sovereignty." He expressed confidence that Belarus could safeguard its sovereignty and indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko would discuss Zelenskiy's remarks in the near future.
Belarus has permitted Russia to use its territory and hosts Russian tactical nuclear weapons, but has not deployed its own troops to fight in Ukraine. However, the Belarusian opposition has noted signs that the country could be preparing for a more direct role in the conflict.