Zelensky says Russia pressuring Belarus to join new offensive against Ukraine or NATO

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 15 that Kyiv has evidence of Russian efforts to pressure Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko into joining new offensive operations, potentially targeting Ukraine's Chernihiv-Kyiv direction or a NATO member state.

Speaking after a meeting with Ukraine's military and intelligence leadership, Zelensky wrote on Telegram: "We continue recording Russian attempts to pull Belarus deeper into the war against Ukraine." He said Ukrainian intelligence had identified additional contacts between Russian officials and Lukashenko aimed at persuading him to join new Russian military operations.

"Russia is considering operational plans in directions south and north of Belarusian territory – either against the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction in Ukraine or against one of the NATO countries," Zelensky said. He added: "Ukraine possesses details of the conversation between Russia and Belarus."

Zelensky warned: "Ukraine will undoubtedly defend itself and its people if Alexander Lukashenko makes a mistake and decides to support this Russian intention as well." He instructed Ukraine's defense and security forces to strengthen the northern direction and present a response plan for approval by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff.

The warning follows weeks of rising concern in Kyiv over military activity inside Belarus. On May 2, Zelensky said "specific activity" had been observed on the Belarusian side of the border. On May 5, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said he held talks with Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, warning that Russia is "increasingly dragging Belarus into its war against Ukraine."

On May 13, Lukashenko announced a rotational mobilization of selected military units "in order to prepare them for war." He said the new approach was in preparation for a possible "ground operation."

Belarus has allowed Russia to use its territory for military operations since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022 but has not officially entered the war with its own troops.