February 26, Pozirk. Recent moves by Alaksandar Łukašenka’s regime are indicative of preparations for further escalation in Ukraine, Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja said yesterday at a briefing for heads of delegations to the Council of Europe.
Belarusian authorities may be significantly involved as they allowed the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons and the Oreshnik missile system in Belarus and are constructing more infrastructure, her aide Franak Viačorka told Pozirk, citing her as saying.
Moscow has also installed radar systems for drone and missile navigation on Belarusian territory, while concluding major military contracts with Minsk, the politician added, noting that she had discussed these threats with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Kyiv’s decision to forge ties with the Belarusian pro-democracy forces could benefit the opposition and create a “new dynamic” within Belarus, Cichanoŭskaja said one month after holding talks with Zelensky in Vilnius. Their meeting signaled a clear shift in Ukraine’s stance, she said later, indicating that Ukraine is now prepared to engage with Belarusian pro-democracy forces after years of caution.
The Belarusian elite, army and society are watching Ukraine with hope, Cichanoŭskaja added, noting that that in case of a ceasefire, Ukraine’s role for Belarus may become even more significant.
