Kremlin responds to Zelenskyy's ultimatum to Lukashenko
Photo: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov (Getty Images)
The Kremlin, through Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, responded to the ultimatum that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently issued to the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko.
What Peskov says
According to Peskov, the Ukrainian leader's statements are nothing more than an attempt to further incite the continuation of the war and escalate tensions.
He also says that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin plans to meet with Lukashenko in the near future.
"This will be a good opportunity to discuss Kyiv’s threats against Minsk and other issues," he says.
He states that "the threat is absolutely aggressive" and that it constitutes, in his words, "interference in the internal affairs of another country, an encroachment on the sovereignty of another country."
"But we have no doubt whatsoever that the Belarusian leadership and Belarus itself can ensure their sovereignty," Peskov adds.
Zelenskyy's ultimatum
On June 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he was giving Lukashenko one week to remove equipment from regions bordering Ukraine that is used to direct fire at Ukrainian cities.
These are relay stations that help Russian Shahed drones strike Ukrainian targets with greater precision.
He also stated that Minsk was supplying Moscow with fuel for the Russian army and that Ukraine is aware of Belarusian companies that are cooperating with the Russian defense-industrial complex.
