In Belarus, under fanciful reasons, they said that they could raise the issue of the "expediency of the further presence" of the diplomatic mission of Ukraine in Minsk.
Points of attention
- Belarus is threatening to close Ukraine's diplomatic mission in Minsk over allegations of illegal drone invasions from Ukrainian territory.
- The escalating tensions are fueled by Belarusian President Lukashenko's accusations of Ukrainian drones violating Belarusian airspace, leading to increased military presence near the Ukrainian border.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus has warned Ukraine about the potential closure of the diplomatic mission and expressed strong protest over alleged border violations.
- Lukashenko's instructions to reinforce Belarusian troops near the Ukrainian border signal a potential military response to any provocations, heightening concerns over stability in the region.
- The diplomatic standoff between Belarus and Ukraine raises serious questions about the stability of relations between the two neighboring countries.
Belarus threatens Ukraine with closing its diplomatic mission
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus summoned the temporary chargé d'affaires of Ukraine Olga Tymush and told her without appeal that the country could raise the issue of the "expediency of the further presence" of the diplomatic mission of Ukraine in Minsk.
As reported by the state agency Belta with reference to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Timush was summoned against the background of the statements of the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Oleksandr Lukashenko, about allegedly recorded Ukrainian drones in the country's airspace.
A strong protest was expressed to the Ukrainian diplomat and a corresponding note was handed over in connection with the violation of the border of the Republic of Belarus by a group of unmanned aerial vehicles launched from the territory of Ukraine.
It was especially pointed out that, if the diplomatic mission of Ukraine in Belarus is unable to influence the prevention of such provocations, the Belarusian side will raise the question of the feasibility of its further presence in Minsk.
What preceded the scandal in Belarus
On August 10, Oleksandr Lukashenko accused Ukraine of violating the airspace of Belarus. He said that the Belarusian air defense system allegedly shot down Ukrainian drones, in total, during this, about a dozen UAVs were recorded.
According to him, the incident allegedly happened in the evening of August 9, due to which the air force and air defense of the country were put on high alert. Lukashenko threatened that "any provocations will not go unanswered."
Subsequently, Lukashenko gave instructions to strengthen the grouping of Belarusian troops in the Gomel and Mozyr tactical directions near the Ukrainian border. "Polonaise" and "Iskander" are sent there.
