Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Wednesday that his country was imposing sanctions on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for supporting Russia’s efforts in invading Ukraine and assisting in the “killing of Ukrainians.” Zelensky revealed the retaliatory measures in a post on X.
“Today, Ukraine has implemented a package of sanctions against Alexander Lukashenko, and we are significantly stepping up our efforts to counter all forms of his support for the killing of Ukrainians,” Zelensky posted. “We will work with partners to ensure that this has a global impact.”
Belarus neighbors Ukraine to the north, and tensions have been rising recently between the two countries.
Zelensky’s decision to sanction Lukashenko came several weeks after meeting with exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in January. Lukashenko has been a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Belarus reportedly cooperated with Russia in 2022 by providing Russia with an area to launch missile strikes against Ukraine. Ukraine has alleged that Belarus also assisted Russia with weapons deployments in 2025, an action that Zelensky noted in his post.
“In the second half of 2025, the Russians deployed a system of repeaters to control strike drones on the territory of Belarus, which increased the Russian army’s ability to strike our northern regions – from Kyiv region to Volyn,” Zelensky said. “Some of the strikes, in particular on energy facilities and railways in our regions, the Russians would not have been able to strike without such assistance from Belarus.”
“More than 3 thousand Belarusian enterprises are put at the service of the Russian war and supply equipment, equipment and components that are classified as critically important,” said Zelensky. “In particular, these are components for the production of missiles that terrorize our cities and villages. The development of infrastructure for the deployment of medium-range missiles – “Oreshnik” on the territory of Belarus is also underway, which is an obvious threat not only to Ukrainians, but also to all Europeans.”
He then accused Lukashenko of helping Russia with the deployment of Oreshnik missiles.
“Alexander Lukashenko not only provided the territory of Belarus for the ‘Oreshnik,’” Zelensky posted. “Last year, the country’s enterprises supplied Russia with critical components, components [sic], and a mechanical base for this weapon. This continues in 2026.”
ZELENSKY OFFERS TO GIVE RUSSIANS A CEASEFIRE ‘IF THEY DO ELECTIONS’ IN MUNICH SPEECH
Zelensky’s announcement of sanctions against Lukashenko comes after Russia has launched regular waves of brutal drone and missile strikes on Ukraine, targeting civilian areas and energy infrastructure. On Tuesday, Russia launched 29 missiles and approximately 400 drones. Last week, Russia bombarded Ukraine with multiple attacks, using nearly 700 drones and dozens of ballistic missiles. A father and his three toddler children were among the victims.
Regarding Lukashenko and Belarus, Zelensky also accused the Belarusian dictator of helping Russia avoid the pitfalls of worldwide sanctions imposed on the country. He emphatically stated there would be consequences and accountability for Lukashenko’s complicity.
ZELENSKY OFFERS TO GIVE RUSSIANS A CEASEFIRE ‘IF THEY DO ELECTIONS’ IN MUNICH SPEECH
“Alexander Lukashenko has long been trading Belarus’ sovereignty for the continuation of his personal power, helping the Russians circumvent world sanctions for this aggression, actively justifying the Russian war, and now increasing his own participation in the escalation and prolongation of the war,” Zelensky said.
“There will be special consequences for this.”
