On February 18, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the imposition of sanctions against Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus. These measures were taken in response to Lukashenko's active cooperation with the Russian army and Belarus's involvement in Russia's military infrastructure.
Zelensky emphasized that in the second half of 2025, a system of relays was deployed on Belarusian territory, which allowed Russian troops to control strike drones, significantly enhancing their capabilities for conducting strikes, including attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities and the railway network.
Moreover, he noted that work continues in Belarus to create infrastructure for the deployment of medium-range missiles of the "Oreshnik" complex. The President of Ukraine characterized this as "a clear threat not only to Ukrainians but to all Europeans." He also reported that Belarusian enterprises supplied Russia in 2025 with important units and components for this weaponry, as well as equipment and machinery necessary for missile production.
According to Zelensky, Lukashenko has "long sacrificed the sovereignty of Belarus to maintain his power, helps Russia circumvent international sanctions, justifies aggression, and now participates even more actively in escalating the conflict."
In conclusion to the statement on sanctions, the President of Ukraine expressed his intention to cooperate with international partners to ensure the global impact of these measures.
