Tsikhanouskaya at UNGA: Lukashenka ready to provide Belarusian territory for renewed attacks on Ukraine
Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York that Alyaksandr Lukashenka is prepared to give Vladimir Putin Belarusian territory, logistics and infrastructure for attacks on Ukraine from the northern border, and that hopes of separating the two leaders are futile. She warned that Belarusian infrastructure, including antennas used to direct drones, is already being used by Russia, and that retransmitters are being installed along the border with EU countries as well as Ukraine, meaning provocations could be aimed at Europe. She also said 500–600 Belarusian enterprises produce optics and microchips and procure components in circumvention of sanctions for Russia's military machine.
Key points
- Tsikhanouskaya made the comments on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week in New York
- She said it is realistic that Russia could again want to attack Ukraine from the northern border, with Lukashenka providing territory, logistics and infrastructure
- She described the Lukashenka–Putin relationship as a 'symbiotic friendship' and said hopes of separating them are in vain
- Belarusian logistics and antennas used to direct drones are already being used by Russia, with retransmitters being installed not only along the Ukrainian border but also on the border with EU countries
- Asked whether Lukashenka acts out of fear of Putin, Tsikhanouskaya answered yes, while stressing this does not justify his policies
- She said 500–600 Belarusian enterprises produce optics and microchips, procure components in circumvention of sanctions for Russia's military machine, and supply Russia with oil products
- She expressed doubt that the Belarusian army could be drawn into offensive actions against Ukraine because there are no anti-Ukrainian sentiments among Belarusians
Why it matters
Tsikhanouskaya's remarks provide an opposition-led account of Belarus's role as an accomplice in Russia's war against Ukraine and frame that role as extending beyond the northern border to potential threats against EU and NATO countries. By characterizing the Lukashenka–Putin relationship as inseparable, her comments undercut any expectation of a diplomatic wedge between Minsk and Moscow. Her specific claims about Belarusian industrial output feeding Russia's military machine, and about infrastructure being readied on the EU border, add to the evidence base being discussed by Ukraine and its partners at the UN General Assembly High-Level Week.
What happened
Speaking to Ukrinform on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said that Alyaksandr Lukashenka is prepared to give Vladimir Putin Belarusian territory, logistics and infrastructure for renewed attacks on Ukraine from the northern border. She argued that the two leaders share a 'symbiotic friendship' and that hopes of driving them apart are unrealistic. Tsikhanouskaya said Belarusian logistics and antennas used to direct drones are already being used by Russia, and that retransmitters are being installed not only along the Ukrainian border but also on Belarus's border with EU countries, meaning escalation or provocation could be aimed at European countries as well. Asked whether Lukashenka acts out of fear of Putin, she answered yes, while stressing that this does not justify his policies. She said Lukashenka has allowed Russia to penetrate Belarus's media, education, economy and defense, enabling a creeping occupation and intensive Russification, and that he profits from the war — 500–600 Belarusian enterprises produce optics and microchips, procure components in circumvention of sanctions for Russia's military machine, and supply Russia with oil products. The Belarusian regime is also expanding warehouse facilities for the Russian marketplace Wildberries, she added. Tsikhanouskaya said Lukashenka is not interested in a Ukrainian victory because Russia is his main ally, and that a Ukrainian win would be a catastrophe for him because a weakened Putin would mean less support for his regime. She expressed doubt that the Belarusian army could be drawn into offensive operations against Ukraine, citing the absence of anti-Ukrainian sentiment among Belarusians and Lukashenka's fear of discontent in the ranks. She said even Lukashenka's circle recognizes him as a 'lame duck' and is already discussing a post-Lukashenka era.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
All four supplied sources are Ukrainian-language and Ukrainian-published, and they frame Tsikhanouskaya's comments as authoritative opposition testimony about Belarus's complicity in Russia's war. Ukrainian coverage centers the threat to Ukraine from the northern border and to European countries, highlights sanctions circumvention by Belarusian enterprises, and emphasizes the inseparability of Lukashenka and Putin and Lukashenka's dependence on Russia. The reporting positions her statements as a contribution to the UN General Assembly discussions in which Ukraine is also participating.
Background
On September 21, during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week, a ministerial event titled 'Belarus: an accomplice in Russia's war against Ukraine and a threat to international security' was held, organized by Latvia and the EU with the participation of Ukraine and other countries; Tsikhanouskaya took part in it. The High-Level Week in New York is being attended by more than 130 heads of state and government, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Earlier in September, Tsikhanouskaya had said that Russia could use Belarusian territory and military infrastructure for provocations against NATO countries.