{"id":188573,"date":"2026-05-22T11:13:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T08:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/188573\/"},"modified":"2026-05-22T11:13:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T08:13:27","slug":"zelensky-ukraine-can-take-preventive-action-against-belarus-leadership","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/188573\/","title":{"rendered":"Zelensky: Ukraine can take preventive action against Belarus\u2019 leadership (Updated)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n \"\"\n
\n
\n\n Zelensky in Slavutich\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (Zelensky's official video\/Pozirk's still)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

May 22, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 21 that Kyiv could take \u201cpreventive\u201d action against the leadership of Belarus to deter it from carrying out \u201caggressive actions\u201d against Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarusian leader Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka commented on the same day that the Belarusian army “is not going to be dragged into war, there is absolutely no need for it,” the Belarusian defense ministry reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have the capability to strengthen [security], and we also have the capability to act preventively both against Russian territories, from which threats may emerge, and against the de-facto leadership of Belarus, which must remain on alert \u2014 that is, it must clearly understand that there will be consequences for aggressive actions against Ukraine and our people,\u201d Zelensky said in Slavutich while visiting the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions bordering Belarus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe remember that in 2022 the [Russian] offensive was also launched from Belarusian territory, and we will not forget it,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Zelensky, Kyiv will increase the number of troops defending the border regions, build additional fortifications and strengthen air defenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A week earlier, Zelensky said that Ukrainian intelligence had detected attempts to persuade \u0141uka\u0161enka \u201cto join new Russian aggressive operations.\u201d He warned that plans were being discussed for operations \u201cto the south and north of Belarus \u2014 either against Ukraine\u2019s Chernihiv\u2013Kyiv region or against one of the NATO countries.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUkraine possesses details of the conversation between Russia and Belarus,\u201d Zelensky said. \u201cUkraine will certainly defend itself and its people if \u0141uka\u0161enka makes a mistake and decides to support this Russian intention. I have instructed Ukraine\u2019s defense and security forces to strengthen the relevant sector and present a plan for our response.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine, during which the Belarusian authorities supported the Kremlin by allowing Russian troops to attack Ukraine from Belarusian territory on multiple occasions and by supplying arms to Moscow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n
\n \"\"