Lukashenka Regards Ukraine as New Threat to Belarus

The self-proclaimed President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenka, has stated that the policy of the Ukrainian authorities is starting to pose a threat to the security of Belarus.

“Close people, akin people, but the leadership of Ukraine, pursuing an anti-people police there, aims at confrontation. We don’t say where they go, west or east, south – it doesn’t matter, it’s their business to decide on. But their policy is based on confrontation, and it is an additional threat we did not have before,” Lukashenka said at a meeting with law enforcement officials on Thursday, 5 August.

As a reminder, on 2 July, he instructed Belarusian border guards to “completely block” the border with Ukraine due to alleged arms smuggling.

In general, Lukashenka’s rhetoric changed dramatically after Ukraine had not recognised his victory in the 2020 elections. Relations with Belarus have chilled significantly. According to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, Belarus is now seen as a possible springboard for Russia’s invasion from the north.

In June this year, Lukashenka said he was ready to let Russian troops into Belarus if necessary.

Bohdan Marusyak