The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared war on Russia, announcing a new package of sanctions targeting Belarus over its role in supporting Russia’s military operations.
In his statement on February 18, Zelenskyy said the measures are aimed at disrupting critical support systems that have enabled attacks on Ukrainian territory.
“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.
He added that Ukraine will coordinate with partners “so that this has a global effect.”
Zelenskyy On Drone Infrastructure and Northern Strikes
Zelenskyy disclosed that in the second half of 2025, Russian forces deployed relay stations in Belarus to control attack drones.
According to the statement, this deployment increased the Russian army’s capacity to strike northern regions of Ukraine, from Kyiv to Volyn.
“The Russians would not have been able to carry out some of the attacks, particularly on energy facilities and railways in our regions, without such assistance from Belarus,” he said.
The relay systems reportedly strengthened operational coordination for drone strikes, contributing to attacks on infrastructure and energy installations.
Industrial Support and Missile Deployment
The Ukrainian president further stated that more than 3,000 Belarusian enterprises are serving Russia’s war effort.
These companies are supplying machinery, equipment, and components classified as “critically important,” including parts used in missile production.
He said infrastructure is being developed in Belarus to deploy intermediate-range missiles known as Oreshnik.
This deployment, he warned, is “an obvious threat not only to Ukrainians but to all Europeans.”
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According to the statement, Belarusian enterprises supplied Russia last year with critical components, parts, and manufacturing capacity for these weapons.
“This continues in 2026,” Zelenskyy said, indicating ongoing support.
Sanctions and Consequences
Zelenskyy accused Belarus’s leadership of enabling Russia to bypass global sanctions and actively justifying the war. He stated that this involvement has expanded and prolonged the conflict.
“Alexander Lukashenko has long been trading Belarus’s sovereignty for the continuation of his personal power,” Zelenskyy said, adding that there will be “special consequences for this.”
Geneva Talks Overshadowed by Russian Strikes
Russia, on February 17, launched a large-scale morning strike, firing 29 missiles of various types, 25 of which were intercepted by Ukrainian air defence systems.
Nearly 400 drones were also deployed during the attack, according to the Ukrainian President.
He said the interceptions demonstrate that air defence remains a daily necessity.
The attack coincided with the start of new trilateral and bilateral formats in Geneva, including engagements with the United States.
Further, he said the timing of the strike reflects Russia’s intentions despite the launch of diplomatic discussions.
He stated that Ukraine’s delegation will raise the issue of the attacks, particularly with the American side, which had proposed that both Ukraine and Russia refrain from strikes.
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