Ukraine sanctions Belarus's Lukashenko over alleged Russia complicity

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Wednesday the imposition of sanctions against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, accusing Minsk of direct complicity in Russia's war effort. "Today Ukraine applied a package of sanctions against Alexander Lukashenko, and we will significantly intensify countermeasures against all forms of his assistance in the killing of Ukrainians," Zelenskyy stated on social media platform X.

Allegations of Military Cooperation

Zelenskyy claimed Moscow deployed a system of relay stations in Belarus during the second half of 2025, increasing Russian military capabilities to strike Ukraine's northern regions, including Kyiv. He argued Russia could not have carried out certain attacks without "such assistance from Belarus." The Ukrainian president specifically cited Belarusian enterprises supplying "critical components, parts, and manufacturing base" for the Oreshnik missile system deployed on Belarusian territory—an "obvious threat not only to Ukrainians but to all Europeans."

Sanctions Circumvention and War Support

Zelenskyy accused Lukashenko of actively helping Russia circumvent global sanctions, justifying the armed conflict, and "further increasing his own participation in scaling and prolonging the war." Lukashenko has not yet responded to the allegations or the sanctions announcement. The move represents an escalation in Kyiv's pressure on Minsk, which has maintained close ties with Moscow throughout the war.