On August 25, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine issued a statement condemning the hostile actions of the Republic of Belarus. “In recent weeks, Belarus, under the pretext of military exercises, has concentrated a significant number of troops in the Gomel region, which borders directly on the northern regions of Ukraine. This causes serious concern both in Ukraine and in the international community”, writes cyprus-daily.news in an analysis.
In the area of the Belarusian-Ukrainian border, there is a presence of Russian mercenaries from the former private military company (PMC) Wagner, known for its criminal activities in Ukraine and other countries. Placing them near the border with Ukraine, especially near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP), poses a serious threat to Ukraine's national security and global security.
It should be recalled that in the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in February 2022, Russian troops had already taken over the territory of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. “This occupation was accompanied by hostage-taking among the plant's employees and created a threat to the nuclear security of all of Europe. Russia's actions in Chernobyl caused international condemnation as unacceptable nuclear blackmail, which could have catastrophic consequences, the publication specifies.
The situation surrounding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZAEP), which has been under occupation by Russian troops since March 2022, also shows the Kremlin's readiness to use nuclear facilities to pressure Ukraine and the entire world. The occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, heightens security concerns for the region and is a gross violation of international law.
„There is a real threat that Russian President Vladimir Putin will seek to draw Belarus into a war against Ukraine, using it as a puppet for further aggression. This is part of the Kremlin's broader strategy to destabilize the region and continue the war at any cost, the publication warns. In case of escalation, Belarus risks becoming a bargaining chip in Russia's geopolitical game, which could have fatal consequences for its sovereignty and future.
Ukraine and its international partners are calling on Belarus to withdraw its troops from the Ukrainian border to a safe distance beyond the range of their weapons systems. Any aggressive steps by Minsk could lead to tragic consequences both for Belarus itself and for the region as a whole.
Putin's strategy to expand the conflict in Belarus poses a serious threat to all of Eastern Europe and global security. The world must remain vigilant and resolutely oppose any attempts by Russia to undermine international security and stability, including using Belarus as an instrument of aggression.