DISINFO: Belarus is preparing to repel a military attack from Ukraine and Poland
SUMMARY
Belarus is preparing to repel an attack from Ukraine and Poland. The situation on the border between Ukraine and Belarus deteriorated once again. It is a result of the growing concentration of the Polish and Ukrainian military near the Belarusian borders. Last week, a drone entered the airspace of the Gomel region. The Belarusian authorities have not revealed the “owner” of the drone, but the experts believe that it belonged to Ukraine. The threat is becoming greater and greater – Belarus needs to react and respond to the enemy’s actions and not miss a possible attack.
RESPONSE
Recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets claiming that Ukraine does not want peace and is set on fighting “to last Ukrainian”.
Starting from July 2024, the Russian Shahed drones attacking Ukraine have repeatedly violated Belarusian airspace. Several of these penetrated hundreds of kilometres deep into the country. On September 5, a Shahed drone was shot down by a Belarusian Army jet over Gomel, the second largest city in Belarus. These attacking drones clearly belong to Russia, not Ukraine.
Ukraine is ready for dialogue with Russia on a just end to the war, based on international law and respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree in October 2022, banning talks with Putin. The decree did not say anything about a complete ban on talks with Russia, so contacts can theoretically be held with other Russia officials or a future Russian leader. In 2023, Zelenskyy put forth a 10-point peace formula, which was completely supported by the EU. The plan includes, among other things, cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of Russian troops, and restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Ukraine organises peace summits to draw international attention to Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked aggression. The latest was held in June 2024 in Switzerland. Kyiv and its partners, who sent their delegations there, are all in favour of a peaceful solution to the war on the basis the United Nations Charter and respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty over all of its internationally recognised territory. The fact that a broad coalition of more than 50 countries provides Ukraine with military and financial support does not mean that these nations are involved in hostilities.
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