Zelenskiy Warns Russia May Use Belarus to Threaten NATO and Northern Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia is exploring plans that could involve launching military operations from Belarus, including possible attacks on northern Ukraine or even a NATO country. He shared the statement after meeting military and intelligence officials, warning that Russia is trying to pull Belarus deeper into the war.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine has detected continued contact between Moscow and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, aimed at encouraging Belarus to support “new Russian aggressive operations.”

Possible targets include Ukraine and NATO border states

According to Zelenskiy, Russia is considering operations from Belarusian territory in two possible directions:

• toward the Chernihiv and Kyiv regions in northern Ukraine
• or toward NATO members such as Poland, Lithuania, or Latvia

Belarus shares borders with Ukraine and several NATO countries, making it strategically important in the conflict.

Belarus role and rising regional tensions

Belarus previously allowed Russian forces to use its territory during the 2022 invasion but has not officially sent its own troops into combat. However, Minsk has agreed to host Russian tactical nuclear weapons and Oreshnik hypersonic missiles, raising security concerns in the region.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine is preparing defensive responses and strengthening northern regions. He warned that if Belarus joins Russian operations, Ukraine will respond to protect its territory and population. No immediate response came from Moscow or Minsk.