Zelensky: Ukraine to defend itself no matter what Łukašenka and Putin agree on

December 19, BPN. Protecting Ukraine’s border with both Russia and Belarus remains a constant priority, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the December 18 supreme commander’s staff meeting.

It took place on the eve of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Minsk.

“We are preparing for all possible defensive scenarios, no matter what Minsk is inclined to do,” Zelenskyy said in his traditional evening address to the nation.

Alaksandr Łukašenka and Putin may discuss a “wider” involvement of the Belarusian army in Russia’s war on Ukraine, including on land, according to Serhiy Nayev, Ukraine’s joint forces commander.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the head of the Ukrainian president’s office, noted earlier that Putin seeks Łukašenka’s maximum support for the war.

Łukašenka and Putin are expected to hold talks at the Independence Palace, one-on-one as well as with officials. They plan to discuss integration, economy, energy and security, the Belarusian leader’s press office reported.

On December 16, Łukašenka admitted that his upcoming talks with Putin might be perceived as a surrender of sovereignty. “Everyone will say that that’s all: there’s no power in Belarus anymore, the Russians feel at home and run the country,” he said.

At the same time, he noted that Minsk is ready to build relations with Moscow if it regards Belarus as a “sovereign and independent state.”

So far, Belarusian authorities allowed Russian troops to attack Ukraine from Belarus, treated the wounded Russian soldiers, and provided training grounds for training Russian reservists called up for active duty.