Zelensky warns of “activity” on Belarus border amid renewed regional tensions
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Ukrainian forces have recorded “specific activity” on the Belarusian side of the Ukraine-Belarus border, amid growing concern in Kyiv over the northern frontier.
In a video address, the Ukrainian president said his forces were closely monitoring developments and documenting all movements near the border, stressing that Ukraine remained prepared to respond to any attempt to draw neighbouring forces into hostile action against its sovereignty.
“We are controlling the situation carefully,” he said, adding that Ukraine would react to any escalation designed to widen the conflict from the north.
Mr Zelensky also confirmed that Kyiv is preparing a series of new sanctions packages to be implemented both immediately and in the near term, as part of continued pressure on Russia and its allies.
The warning comes at a time of heightened sensitivity along Ukraine’s northern border with Belarus, a key staging area used by Moscow during the early phases of the 2022 invasion.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly cautioned that Belarus could again be used as a platform for escalation, given its close military alignment with Russia and its role in previous cross-border operations into northern Ukraine.
In his address, Mr Zelensky said Ukraine was also intensifying diplomatic efforts with partners across Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf to strengthen air defence capabilities and secure additional economic support.
He said he expected “weighty results” from upcoming high-level negotiations scheduled for May.
The latest concerns also come amid reports of increased internal controls in Belarus. The Ukrainian Centre for Countering Disinformation said Minsk had tightened restrictions on internet access, in moves that mirror Russia’s “sovereign internet” model.
Those measures have coincided with a more assertive tone from Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, even as the country continues to balance its close alignment with Moscow against cautious diplomatic outreach to Western states.
Mr Lukashenko has recently been invited to join a US-led “Board of Peace” initiative under Donald Trump following the release of political prisoners, a development that has prompted speculation about a possible, albeit limited, thaw in relations with Washington.
However, Ukrainian officials and regional analysts caution that such diplomatic signals have not reduced military uncertainty along the northern frontier, where tensions remain closely tied to developments in the wider war.
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