'If Zelenskyy doesn't reach agreement with Putin, Ukraine will have to surrender': Belarus

In a big statement, President of Belarus said that Ukraine will have to surrender against Russia. As reported by state-owned media, Alexander Lukashenko said that situation of surrender will come soon if Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fails to reach an agreement with his Russian counterpart Vlimir Putin. Lukashenko counted on speedy completion of Russian special operation in Ukraine and achievement of peace.

Ukraine launching missile towards Belarus amid fight with Russia 

Belarusian President said that over past week, two missile launches were carried out from Ukraine towards Belarus, in spite of fight being with Russia. Lukashenko said that if Ukraine continues to escalate against Belarus, Minsk will t leave this unanswered.

It is pertinent to mention here that Belarus has been backing Russia against Ukraine. Belarus is a former Soviet republic of 9.4 million people that borders both Russia and Ukraine, as well as Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, and has spent nearly three deces balancing its ties to both Western powers and Russia. But last presidential election marked a turning point that pushed Lukashenko closer toward Putin. After elections, an unprecedented public uprising took place against results. Putin offered financial and military support to help Lukashenko silence protests — without any international response or pushback.

Lukashenko's wife sanctioned

Meanwhile, US Treasury Department in its new pack of sanctions targetted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's wife, Halina, by ding her to Treasury's Specially Designated Nationals List. "Today, Treasury is designating one more member of Lukashenko’s immediate family: Lukashenko’s wife Halina Rzivonawna Lukashenko (Halina), US said in a statement, ding, "Lukashenko was designated today pursuant to E.O. 13405 for being a senior-level official who is responsible for or has engd in public corruption related to Belarus." 

It is pertinent to mention here Lukashenko’s sons Dzmitry and Viktar Lukashenko were sanctioned on December 2, 2021, and June 16, 2006, respectively. Lukashenko was blocked pursuant to same authority in June 2006 when President George W. Bush included him in Annex to order.

Im: AP