Lukashenko gives in to Ukraine, Putin sees red 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is afraid that conducting military exercises near the Ukrainian border could provoke tensions.

Zelenskyy made the remark in response to questions about whether the joint military drills between Belarus and Russia might be used as a cover for a potential ground offensive.

"I think Lukashenko himself is afraid that we in Ukraine will consider the presence of the contingent at the exercises as preparation for offensive actions. He understands, after our corresponding steps in the Kursk direction, what we are capable of if we feel a threat," Zelenskyy said.

Citing Ukrainian intelligence services, the president suggested the drills could be relocated to avoid triggering a Ukrainian response.

"I just had the latest report from the Foreign Intelligence Service a couple of days ago, and there was such a signal. But all of this needs to be verified. The risk from Russian drills is, unfortunately, already historically known to us," he added.

Zelenskyy also reminded that the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 began from Belarusian territory, following similar military exercises.

(QG - Source: RBC Ukraine - Picture : © Unsplash)