Russia is stepping up efforts to involve Belarus more deeply in its war against Ukraine and may be preparing potential new offensive operations, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 15.

Axar.az reports, citing Kyiv Independent, that Zelensky made the remarks following briefings from Ukraine’s military and intelligence services.

According to the president, Moscow has recently made new contact with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko in an attempt to persuade Minsk to “join new acts of aggression.”

Zelensky said Ukraine possesses details of communications between Russian and Belarusian officials.

He warned that Russia is considering using Belarusian territory as a launch point for possible operations against Ukraine, including directions toward Kyiv and Chernihiv regions, or even against neighboring NATO countries.

Zelensky also said Belarus continues to provide logistical and operational support to Russia’s war effort, including serving as a staging area for missile and drone strikes and having previously enabled the initial 2022 offensive toward Kyiv.

He added that Ukraine has instructed its defense and security forces to strengthen preparations along the northern direction and develop response plans in case the situation escalates.