Zelenskyy Gives Lukashenko a One-Week Ultimatum to Remove Military Equipment Amid Shelling of Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Remarks

According to Главком: During a joint press conference with Honduran President Nasri Asfura, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed statements made by Belarus’s self-declared president, Alexander Lukashenko, who claimed he did not want to enter the war. Zelenskyy accused Belarus of complicity in Russia’s aggression, pointing out that missiles have been launched from Belarusian territory since the war’s earliest days. He also highlighted the presence of equipment on Belarusian soil, along two regions bordering Ukraine, that is used to adjust fire targeting Ukrainian civilians.

Zelenskyy stressed that Lukashenko cannot be confident in his own country’s safety, stating:

“When Mr. Lukashenko says he does not want to be dragged into the war, he must be honest, at least with his own people.”

The Ukrainian leader also recalled that Lukashenko had previously called to apologize, claiming he had no control over Russia’s actions.

Demands from the Ukrainian President

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that both Russian and Belarusian signal repeaters are located on Belarusian territory, aiding attacks on Ukrainian civilians.

“There’s no need for extra words. Today, on his towers, he has repeaters-Russian repeaters, Belarusian repeaters. What difference does it make to us?”

he emphasized. Zelenskyy called on Lukashenko to remove the equipment and turn off the repeaters, giving him one week to comply.

“I think one week will be enough for him to do this. Why do I say a week? Because right now, every day, our civilians are dying and children are being injured because of this,”

Zelenskyy said.

For context, Lukashenko has previously advocated for complete nuclear disarmament worldwide and insisted that Belarus would not enter the war against Ukraine. However, Zelenskyy argued that this does not absolve Lukashenko of responsibility for actions originating from his country’s territory.

This statement underscores the critical role of international accountability and how neighboring countries can influence regional conflicts. The ongoing Russian aggression and Belarus’s function as a staging ground for military operations cast doubt on Lukashenko’s claims of neutrality. It is vital for the global community to consider these factors when shaping policies on security and stability in Eastern Europe.

In light of Zelenskyy's urgent demands, it's important to consider Lukashenko's previous stance on global disarmament, as he has consistently advocated for complete nuclear disarmament while asserting that Belarus would remain neutral in the conflict. For further insights into Lukashenko's position and its implications on the ongoing situation, read more about his disarmament calls here.