On August 25, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine issued a statement condemning the unfriendly actions of the Republic of Belarus. In recent weeks, Belarus, under the pretext of military exercises, has concentrated a significant number of troops in the Gomel region, which directly borders the northern regions of Ukraine. This is causing serious concern both in Ukraine and in the international community.
There is a presence of Russian mercenaries from the former Wagner PMC in the Belarusian-Ukrainian border area. It is known for its criminal activities in Ukraine and other countries. Its deployment near the border with Ukraine, especially near the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP) is a serious threat to the national security of Ukraine and global security.
It is worth noting that at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in February 2022, Russian troops had already seized the territory of the ChNPP. The plant’s employees were among hostages took by them. Russia’s actions created a threat to nuclear security for the whole of Europe. The international community condemned its activity, calling it unacceptable nuclear blackmail with possible catastrophic consequences.
The situation around the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), which has been occupied by Russian troops since March 2022, also demonstrates the Kremlin’s willingness to use nuclear facilities to pressure Ukraine and the world. The occupation of ZNPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, is a gross violation of international law which aggravates fears about the region’s security.
There is a real threat that Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking to drag Belarus into a war against Ukraine, using it as a puppet for further aggression. This is part of the Kremlin’s broader strategy to destabilize the region and continue the war at any cost. In case of escalation, Belarus risks becoming a small coin in Russia’s geopolitical game, which could have fatal consequences for its sovereignty and future.
Ukraine and its international partners are calling on Belarus to withdraw its troops from the Ukrainian border to a safe distance that exceeds the range of fire systems available in the Belarusian army. Any aggressive steps by Minsk could lead to tragic consequences both for Belarus itself and for the region as a whole. Putin’s strategy of expanding the conflict into Belarus poses a serious threat to all of Eastern Europe and global security. The world must remain vigilant and resolutely oppose any attempts by Russia to undermine international security and stability, including the use of Belarus as an instrument of aggression.