Belarus pulls out of search and rescue agreement with Ukraine

May 25, BPN. The Belarusian Council of Ministers terminated the agreement with Ukraine on cooperation in civil aviation search and rescue, says a directive dated May 23 and published on the National Legal Internet Portal.

The government instructed the foreign ministry to notify the Ukrainian side. 

Minsk and Kyiv signed the agreement in March 2017. It entered into force the following year, facilitating cooperation and assistance in search and rescue operations in both countries, especially in the border areas.

Earlier, the government also terminated an information protection agreement with Ukraine following the latter’s withdrawal from several treaties with Belarus. 

In February 2022, Russia started a full-scale war against Ukraine. Authorities in Minsk denied Belarusian army troops’ involvement in combat operations on the Russian side. However, Belarus allowed Russian troops and weapons to move freely through the country, use its airspace, refuel and store military equipment and attack Ukraine from its territory.