KYIV, Ukraine — The exiled opposition leader from Belarus traveled to Kyiv on Monday as Ukraine’s capital worked to recover from Russia’s most extensive missile bombardment this year, while international leaders monitored how much assistance the Belarusian government might offer to Moscow’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine.
Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya of Belarus reached Kyiv by rail for her inaugural trip to the Ukrainian capital, occurring one day after French President Emmanuel Macron conducted a telephone conversation with President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with authoritarian control for over thirty years.
The French president “underscored the risks for Belarus of allowing itself to be dragged into Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine,” according to a presidential aide in Macron’s office who spoke on condition of anonymity in accordance with the presidential palace’s practices.
Macron additionally held discussions on Sunday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has recently intensified warnings that Belarus might serve as a staging area for Russia to establish a new battlefront in northern Ukraine.
With the comprehensive invasion extending beyond four years, Russian forces remain engaged in a difficult and expensive campaign along the 1,250-kilometer (780-mile) battle line that primarily winds through eastern and southern Ukraine. Given the shortage of American-manufactured air defense missiles due to the Iran war, Ukrainian defenses face greater challenges stopping Russian projectiles.
American diplomatic initiatives to end the conflict have achieved minimal advancement and are currently at a standstill.
Sunday’s massive bombardment featured Russia’s advanced hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile, capable of carrying multiple warheads. Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed it can strike targets at velocities reaching Mach 10.
Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian intelligence agencies had been alerted by the United States and European nations that Russia was preparing to deploy an Oreshnik missile.
No fewer than 87 individuals sustained injuries in Kyiv, including three minors, during the attack, Zelenskyy announced Monday. Twenty-one people required hospitalization.
The fierce bombardment caused damage to structures throughout the city, including areas near government facilities, apartment buildings, educational institutions and a marketplace, Ukrainian officials reported. Broken glass remained scattered on walkways Monday.
Macron’s conversation with Lukashenko marked their first communication since 2022, shortly following Russia’s launch of the comprehensive invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, when Belarus’ administration permitted Moscow to utilize the nation’s land as a base for deploying forces into neighboring Ukraine.
A brief statement issued by the Belarusian presidential press office indicated the call occurred “on the French side’s initiative” and that both leaders addressed “regional issues” and Belarus’ relationships with the European Union and France.
Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled Belarusian opposition leader, stated Sunday that France aims to prevent Belarus from becoming involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“The main goal — to warn Lukashenko that dragging Belarus into the war would be unacceptable,” Tsikhanouskaya told The Associated Press.
“Lukashenko’s regime knows well what needs to be done to improve ties with the European Union, but it isn’t happening, instead hybrid attacks, nuclear blackmail and threats to the entire region continue,” she said.
Lukashenko depends on the Kremlin for affordable energy, financial assistance and additional support. Russia and Belarus conducted joint nuclear exercises last week.
Zelenskyy has consistently cautioned that Belarus might expand its assistance to Moscow.
