Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced today that his government will impose sanctions on Belarus in response to the country’s growing support for Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. The move comes amid mounting evidence that Belarus has allowed Russian forces to use its territory to stage attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and supply military equipment to the Russian army. Zelenskyy framed the decision as a necessary step to protect Ukraine and send a clear political signal to Minsk.
As of today, we cannot say that the outcome of the meetings in Geneva is sufficient. The military representatives discussed certain issues seriously and substantively. However, sensitive political matters, issues of possible compromises, and the necessary meeting of leaders have… pic.twitter.com/wctJOAMsxe
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 18, 2026
“Dear Ukrainians! Today, our state has made a decision to impose sanctions against Alexander Lukashenko. We are responding with this decision to Belarus’s clearly increasing involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Lukashenko is accustomed to trading away his country’s sovereignty, having sacrificed many of Belarus’s interests to the Russians. Russia even brought its full-scale war to Ukraine, partly using Belarusian territory – and that is a fact. For a long time, however, Lukashenko refrained from taking personal, direct, harsh actions in Russia’s favor. But since last autumn, Ukraine has been documenting relay stations on Belarusian territory that support Russian attack drones. Thanks to these relays, Russia has been striking our northern regions – from Kyiv and Kyiv region to Volyn. These strikes targeted our energy infrastructure and our railways. Unfortunately, Lukashenko also continues to play along with Putin in his dangerous geopolitical game with Oreshnik, which poses a threat to all of Europe. Belarus is also still being used as a base to supply components, equipment, and hardware to the Russian army. Considering all of this, we are also adjusting our policy and will respond appropriately to the threat. Minsk must understand this. These sanctions send a political signal. I have also instructed a careful review of all of Lukashenko’s schemes and those of his accomplices. We will counter them more tangibly. And we will work with our partners in the region and in all of Europe, as well as global partners, to ensure they fully understand what they are dealing with when it comes to the Belarusian regime. Belarus – the country, its people – cannot be lost for Europe. But this individual, who puts Belarus at Russia’s service, must definitely be “lost.””
In his address to the nation, Zelenskyy said Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly sacrificed his country’s sovereignty in alignment with Russian interests. While Lukashenko had previously refrained from direct, aggressive measures in favor of Russia, Ukrainian authorities have documented increasing Belarusian involvement since last autumn, including relay stations used to support Russian drone strikes targeting northern Ukrainian regions such as Kyiv, Volyn, and the surrounding areas. These attacks have focused on energy infrastructure and railways, crucial for civilian and military mobility.
Zelenskyy described Belarus as playing a dangerous role alongside Russia in a wider geopolitical struggle, warning that Minsk’s actions represent a threat to Europe. Beyond serving as a base for Russian attacks, Belarus continues to supply equipment, components, and other resources to Russian forces. “These sanctions send a political signal. I have also instructed a careful review of all of Lukashenko’s schemes and those of his accomplices. We will counter them more tangibly,” Zelenskyy said. He emphasized that the measures target Lukashenko personally rather than the Belarusian people, whom Ukraine seeks to protect from the Kremlin’s influence.
The announcement also referenced Ukraine’s ongoing diplomatic efforts. Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian negotiators held discussions in Geneva this week in both trilateral and other formats, though he noted that the outcomes so far have been insufficient. The president highlighted the involvement of European partners, including France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, as well as acknowledgment from the United States of Europe’s central role in negotiations. Zelenskyy stressed that humanitarian issues remain a key focus, particularly prisoner-of-war exchanges and the release of civilians.
“Every exchange matters. I am grateful to our warriors on the frontline, who carry out active operations and replenish the exchange fund for us, for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said, linking Ukraine’s military efforts directly to its diplomatic leverage. He called on Ukrainians to continue prioritizing the defense of the state, stressing that political disputes must take a back seat in a time of war. “This is a time of war. A time to defend our state, to protect our people. Personal matters come later,” Zelenskyy said.
The sanctions mark a significant escalation in Ukraine’s response to Belarusian support for Russian military operations, signaling Kyiv’s determination to hold neighboring governments accountable for actions that endanger Ukrainian territory and European security.
