Ukraine prepares for all possible defence scenarios 

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Ukraine is prepared for all possible defence scenarios against Russia and its ally Belarus.

Zelenskiy’s statement comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin heads to Belarus for his visit with Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko.

“Protecting our border, both with Russia and Belarus – is our constant priority,” Zelenskiy said after a meeting on Sunday of Ukraine’s top military command.

“We are preparing for all possible defence scenarios.” He said.

Whatever Lukashenko might be persuaded to do for Russia “this will not help them, just like all the other sick ideas in this war against Ukraine and Ukrainians,” Zelenskiy added.

Officials in Kyiv have warned for months that neighbouring Belarus could join Russian forces and serve again as a launching pad for a new attack to form a second front in the months-long war.

Belarus – one of Russia’s closest allies- allowed its territory to be used as a launchpad for Moscow’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, but has not joined the fighting directly. Lukashenko has said repeatedly he has no intention of sending his country’s troops into Ukraine.

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Meanwhile, Russian troops that were moved to Belarus in October to become part of a regional formation will conduct battalion tactical exercises, the Russian Interfax news agency reported on Monday.

“The final assessment of the combat capability and combat readiness of the units will be given by the command at the final stage of coordination – after the battalion tactical exercises have been conducted,” Interfax cited the ministry’s statement.

It was not immediately clear when and where in Belarus the exercises will be conducted.

Belarus defence ministry said in October that 9,000 Russian troops were moving to the country as part of a “regional grouping” of forces to protect its borders.

Reuters/Zainab Sa’id