Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskyy says Ukraine must 'be ready' at Belarus border

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the country’s armed forces at the border Ukraine shares with Belarus to be prepared. However, Zelenskyy said he only sees “powerful statements” coming from the neighboring country.

Following a visit to Ukraine’s Lviv area on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine must be prepared at the border it shares with Belarus in the northwest. Zelenskyy visited Lviv to discuss border protection and the security situation in the country’s northwest. This follows Kyiv’s warning that Russia may use its ally Belarus as a launch pad to invade Ukraine from the north, although Zelenskyy did not reference such a warning in his comments on the Telegram platform.

“We discussed border protection, the operational situation on the border with the Republic of Belarus, and counter-subversive measures in these territories,” said Zelenskyy. “We understand that apart from powerful statements, we do not see anything powerful there, but nevertheless we must be ready both at the border and in the regions.”

Ukrainian forces staged war drills close to the border amidst the potential invasion from the north through Belarus. Ukrainian Colonel Roman Voloschuk of the 104th Territorial Defense Brigade sought to show strength on the sidelines of the military drills in three secret locations in northwestern Ukraine.

Voloschuk told Reuters that Ukrainian forces would be ready to resist potential attacks in the area on all fronts. Soldiers in the unit also echoed Voloschuk’s comments, saying that they were prepared to resist every new threat they may face.

In the drills, Ukrainian forces practiced urban warfare, firing assault rifles, driving armored vehicles, and freeing hostages.

Also on Wednesday, Zelenskyy urged the NATO alliance to do more than just pledge that the door is open for Ukraine to become a member at the upcoming summit in July. Zelenskyy said Kyiv needs “powerful steps” from the alliance as it seeks to become part of NATO.

Ukraine requested a fast-track membership back in September, seven months after Russia invaded back in February. The alliance said it has an open-door policy for Ukraine but has not said if it will fast-track the country’s accession into NATO. This will likely draw the ire of Moscow even further as it views NATO as a hostile military bloc that is trying to breach its sphere of influence.