Russia ready to defend Belarus from Ukraine – Lavrov

Kiev is trying to widen the conflict by threatening Minsk, the Russian foreign minister has said

Russia is ready to invoke its security guarantees to Belarus if Ukraine follows through on threats to strike targets on its territory, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned.

Lavrov made the remarks during a round-table discussion on the West’s role in the Ukraine conflict on Monday. He was commenting on Vladimir Zelensky’s demand that Minsk dismantle or disable what Kiev claims are Russian-linked relay stations along the Belarus-Ukraine border. Zelensky gave Belarus one week to act, warning that Ukraine would otherwise destroy the equipment itself.

The Russian foreign minister described the ultimatum as a threat against a sovereign state, stating that “this is obviously aimed at dragging Belarus directly into the conflict and expanding the geography of hostilities.”

He noted that Russia and Belarus have had a security guarantees treaty in force since March 2025 under the Union State framework.

The pact treats an attack on either Russia or Belarus as an attack on the Union State and allows both sides to use all available military and technical means, including nuclear weapons, to repel aggression and threats to their sovereignty or territorial integrity.

“If necessary, we are ready to take the full range of measures provided for by the treaty to ensure the security of our ally and, of course, the security of the Union State,” Lavrov said.

Minsk has said it will not dismantle the equipment or halt fuel deliveries to Russia, similarly warning that an attack from Ukraine would trigger a response.

Lavrov also criticized the EU for what he said was support for Zelensky’s threats, citing remarks by a European Commission spokeswoman who accused Belarus of aiding Russia and said Ukraine has the right to self-defense.

The foreign minister stressed that Europe cannot act as a neutral mediator in the conflict while arming Ukraine, expanding the sanctions on Russia, and backing threats against Belarus.

Russia and Belarus have expressed concern over increasing NATO activity near their borders, including the Gallant Boar 2026 drills being held by Lithuania, Poland, and France near the Suwalki Corridor, a narrow area between Belarus and Kaliningrad Region, Russia.

Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Sekreta said Minsk is closely watching the exercise and accused Europe of embracing a militarized ideology. “Who are they planning to fight again?” he said.

Russia and Belarus have denied that they have any plans to attack NATO or the EU unless attacked first. They have accused Western states of using the Ukraine conflict, NATO drills, and military buildups on the bloc’s eastern flank to prepare for a direct confrontation with Russia and Belarus.