Political scientist Andrey Koshkin, Head of the Department of Political Science and Sociology at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, has stated that Ukrainian President Zelensky’s recent threats against Belarus are directly related to nuclear exercises conducted jointly by Moscow and Minsk.
In a statement, Koshkin explained that Ukraine typically issues warnings after military maneuvers. “Now there were not simple maneuvers, but the actions of the nuclear triad were being practiced,” he said. The expert noted that Kiev has seized this opportunity to escalate tensions without expecting any fundamental shift in the border situation.
On May 21, Zelensky warned Belarus that it should be aware of consequences for allegedly preparing aggressive actions against Ukraine. He stated: “We have the opportunity to strengthen, we have the opportunity to work proactively <...> in relation to the actual leadership of Belarus.”
Meanwhile, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko cautioned that his country would not stand on ceremony if attacked and that Minsk and Moscow are prepared to defend their common homeland from Brest to Vladivostok.
