Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that Minsk carried out a targeted operation in Ukraine with the aim of liberating Belarusian citizens who were stranded amid ongoing hostilities. The claim was reported by BelTA, the Belarusian state news agency, during a Security Council session. The remarks underscored the government’s assertion that Belarusians who remained in Ukraine were at risk and in need of assistance to return home.
According to Lukashenko, a number of Belarusians who had stayed in Ukraine during the conflict became detainees or were effectively cut off from travel and safe passage. He stated that Ukrainian authorities detained a substantial quantity of vehicles, describing the figures as 1,500 wagons and cars, with a notable number of truckers included among those affected. The president characterized the situation as dangerous for Belarusians living abroad and stressed that their freedom and safety were a priority for Minsk.
In addressing the matter, Lukashenko said that he had warned Ukraine that a rescue effort would be undertaken to secure the release of all Belarusians held there. He asserted that the operation was completed and that every citizen who needed assistance had been freed. These remarks were delivered at a meeting of the Security Council, with Lukashenko noting that details of the operation would remain undisclosed for security reasons.
The president also pressed for a firm stance from the Belarusian Foreign Ministry. He called on Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei to present tough conditions to Ukrainian Ambassador Igor Kyzyma, emphasizing that all Belarusian citizens must be freed and that Minsk would respond if this demand was not met. Lukashenko framed the issue as one of national dignity and the protection of citizens, signaling that Belarus would not tolerate prolonged constraints on its people.
During the remarks, Lukashenko remarked on the broader regional context, suggesting that the situation warranted vigilance and prudence. He indicated that hostility toward Belarusians and the perceived mistreatment of their nationals would draw a decisive and potentially unexpected response from Minsk. The president stressed that while Belarus adheres to the law and treats individuals with humanity, there are limits to what can be tolerated when the safety of citizens is at stake.
As the discussion moved toward the alliance dynamics with Russia, Lukashenko suggested there were lingering questions about whether allies would quickly consolidate around Belarus and Russia in the face of these events. He did not shy away from signaling that the evolving regional security landscape could lead to a recalibration of diplomatic and strategic postures among neighboring states and partners. The remarks reflect a combination of concern for Belarusian nationals and an intent to project resolve on the international stage.
Observers noted that the statements provided a window into Minsk’s approach to protecting citizens abroad and the kinds of leverage Minsk might employ in its diplomatic engagements. The narrative underscores Belarus’s emphasis on sovereignty and the protection of its citizens, while also hinting at the broader geopolitical tensions that shape Minsk’s interactions with Kyiv and its international partners. The precise details of the operation remain undisclosed, but the overarching message conveys a pledge to safeguard Belarusians irrespective of the complexities on the ground.
Analysts will likely examine how these declarations influence ongoing discussions with Western governments and regional actors. The language used by Lukashenko suggests a strategy centered on deterrence and a readiness to act decisively in defense of Belarussian citizens, coupled with a demand for accountability from Ukrainian authorities. The evolving narrative will continue to shape assessments of Belarus’s role in the regional crisis and its posture toward neighbor states. [Citation: BelTA]
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