Zelensky warns of unusual activity on his country’s border with Belarus.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Saturday of “unusual activity” on his country’s border with Belarus.
In his daily address to the nation, he said: “Yesterday, there was somewhat unusual activity on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border — from the Belarusian side.”
He added: “We are closely monitoring the situation, keeping everything under control, and we will respond if necessary.”
The Ukrainian president did not provide further details, and the Ukrainian air force and border guards had not yet responded to a Reuters request for comment.
Kyiv had urged Minsk in recent weeks not to become further involved in the war waged by Russia against Ukraine.
Strategic alliance
The relationship between Russia and Belarus amounts to an organic strategic alliance, extending beyond geographical proximity to deep integration under the framework of the “Union State.”
Belarus represents for Moscow its most important strategic depth and closest ally in countering NATO’s eastward expansion. Minsk relies on Russian economic support, including loans and energy subsidies, in exchange for Russia’s unrestricted military use of Belarusian territory and airspace.
During the Russia–Ukraine war, Moscow deployed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, placing both countries in a single bloc facing Western sanctions and isolation.
European protection
Amid U.S. involvement in the Middle East and growing disagreements between Washington and European capitals, which led to a partial U.S. military withdrawal from Germany, Kyiv is accelerating efforts to secure a European protection umbrella.
Zelensky said he discussed Ukraine’s EU accession process with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico during a conversation on Saturday.
He wrote on the X platform: “We need strong relations between our two countries, and each of us is interested in this. It was important to hear that Slovakia supports Ukraine’s EU membership and is ready to share its experience in the accession process.”
Zelensky also noted that they discussed the possibility of holding a meeting in the near future.
