Zelenskyy Gives Belarus One-Week Ultimatum to Remove Russian Equipment or Ukraine Will Act

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a stern ultimatum to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on June 19, 2026, demanding that Belarus dismantle communication relay stations along the northern border within one week. Zelenskyy claimed these stations are used by Russian forces to guide drone strikes against Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure. Speaking at a joint press conference in Kyiv with Honduran President Nasry Asfura, Zelenskyy warned, "If he does not do it, we will do it ourselves." He also accused Belarus of being a key fuel supplier to the Russian military and called on Lukashenko to halt such support.

The ultimatum marks a significant escalation in tensions between Kyiv and Minsk, which had maintained a cautious balance since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. Belarus has officially stayed out of the conflict but has allowed Russian troops to use its territory for operations, logistics, and missile launches. Zelenskyy directly challenged Lukashenko's claims of neutrality, stating, "When Lukashenko says he does not want to participate in the war, he should be honest, at least with his own people." He warned that entire Belarus could be dragged into the conflict due to Russian activities.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded by accusing Zelenskyy of trying to interfere in Belarus's internal affairs, adding that President Vladimir Putin and Lukashenko would discuss the matter soon. Peskov expressed confidence that Belarus could defend its sovereignty. Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin reiterated that Minsk would not get involved in the conflict and said small forces stationed near the border were only for ensuring national security.

Lukashenko had recently sought to de-escalate rhetoric, apologizing to Zelenskyy for past offensive remarks and insisting that Belarus posed no military threat to Ukraine. He also emphasized that Putin himself had advised against involving Belarus in the war, calling it counterproductive. Despite these gestures, Zelenskyy remained unconvinced, stressing that actions, not words, are needed.

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya backed Zelenskyy's stance, saying Ukraine is showing "how to deal with dictators — only from a position of strength." She called on Lukashenko to prove his desire for peace by ending all support for Russian aggression and releasing political prisoners. The situation raises the possibility of direct Ukrainian military action on Belarusian soil, which would represent a new phase in the conflict and risk deepening Belarus's involvement in the war.