Zelensky Calls on Belarus to Shut Down Russian Stations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko to remove, within one week, facilities that Kyiv says Russian forces are using to launch attacks on Ukraine. He warned that Ukraine would respond if the demand were not met.

According to Zelensky, relay stations exist in two Belarusian regions bordering Ukraine that Russia is using to direct attacks against Ukrainian civilians. Reuters said it was unable to independently verify the claims.

"What's the point of saying he (Lukashenko) doesn't want to be in the war? Let him remove this equipment, let him switch it off. I think a week will be enough for him to do that", Zelensky said at a press conference in Kyiv. "If he doesn't do it, we'll do it", he added, without providing further details.

In recent months the Ukrainian president has repeatedly claimed that Moscow is trying to draw Minsk deeper into the war. Russian troops had already used Belarusian territory at the start of the invasion in February 2022.

Last month Lukashenko rejected claims that Belarus should become more involved in the conflict, but at the same time said it would defend itself alongside Russia in the event of aggression. Minsk remains Moscow's closest ally in the war.

(Reuters, bak)