A Ukrainian government official told CNN that Ukrainian intelligence indicates Belarus’ readiness to perhaps participate directly in the invasion of Ukraine, in addition to allowing the Russians to use its territory and letting them cross the border.
A second source close to the Ukrainian government told CNN that, in addition to Ukrainian intelligence, the government of US President Joe Biden has also conveyed to the Ukrainian government that Belarus is preparing to join the Russian invasion.
So far, however, US officials have not seen Belarusian troops “being prepared to enter Ukraine” or “being on the move or are in Ukraine,” a senior US Defense official told reporters on Monday. (28), adding that the forces inside Ukraine are Russian.
The possible participation of Belarus in the invasion has aroused new concern in the Biden administration.
A senior administration official said the White House is closely watching the actions taken by Belarus and is prepared to impose more sanctions on the country.
In a sign of the growing turmoil in the region, the US announced today that it was suspending operations at its embassy in Belarus.
The Washington Post also reported that Belarus was preparing to send troops to Ukraine, citing a US government official. The White House declined to comment.
THE CNN has contacted the US State Department for comment but has yet to receive a response.
The first meeting between diplomatic delegations from Ukraine and Russia, which met in the region bordering Belarus, on Monday (28), ended without an agreement to discuss a possible ceasefire.
‘If necessary’
“Our troops are not participating in any way in this operation. We will not justify ourselves here about our participation or non-participation in this conflict. I repeat once more. Our troops are not there, but if necessary, if Belarus and Russia need them, they will be there,” he said. the president of Belarus, Aleksander Lukashenko through the state news agency Belta.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to Belarusians as “neighbors” on Sunday.
“Belarus, this is a referendum for you too. You decide who you are and who to become. How would you look into your children’s eyes. How would you look into each other’s eyes. In your neighbor’s eyes. And we are your neighbors,” he said.
Zelensky’s office said Lukashenko called the Ukrainian president on Sunday to discuss Monday’s meeting.
“Politicians have agreed that the Ukrainian delegation will meet the Russian delegation without preconditions at the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, near the Pripyat River,” Zelensky’s office said.
“Aleksander Lukashenko took responsibility for ensuring that all planes, helicopters and missiles stationed on Belarusian territory remain on the ground during the Ukrainian delegation’s travel, meeting and return.”
Belarus announced Sunday that the country had renounced its non-nuclear status in a referendum that day.
According to the Central Election Commission of Belarus, 78.63% of the eligible voting population participated in Sunday’s referendum, of which 65.16% voted in favor of approving a new constitution that will eliminate the country’s non-nuclear status and give the Lukashenko the opportunity to run for two additional terms.
The new constitution could theoretically allow Russia to return nuclear weapons to Belarus for the first time since the fall of the Soviet Union, when the neighboring country gave up its stockpile and became a nuclear-free zone.
Amendments and additions to the Constitution approved in yesterday’s referendum will take effect in 10 days, according to Lukashenko’s office.
(*CNN’s Hannah Ritchie, Josh Pennington and Ellie Kaufman contributed to this story)
Source: CNN Brasil
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