Russia demands territory from Belarus for attacks on Ukraine and provocations against NATO - WSJ

Russia has increased pressure on Belarusian dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko, demanding to provide the country's territory for opening a new front against Ukraine and conducting hybrid operations against NATO. This is reported in an analytical material of The Wall Street Journal.

According to US and European officials, the Kremlin has resorted to active pressure on Minsk due to the slowdown of the russian offensive in Donbas, as putin needs new points of tension. The russian leadership plans to use the territory of Belarus for constant launches of strike drones on Ukrainian objects, expanding the front line towards the western regions of Ukraine, as well as to divert the reserves of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from critical areas in the east.

In addition, the Kremlin is considering the possibility of systematic provocations against neighboring Alliance countries in order to undermine support for Ukraine and test the reaction of the West.

The main lever of influence on Lukashenko in this matter is financial dependence. Former intelligence officers confirm that the Kremlin is using an economic stranglehold, as the Minsk regime is critically dependent on russian cash infusions.

According to sources, communication with Lukashenko is conducted directly by the russian ambassador Boris Gryzlov, and Moscow's main argument is the threat to completely stop financial assistance to Belarus.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, Lukashenko assured that he has no intention of going to war against Ukraine, but called "not to provoke" Belarus.