Russia Calls Zelensky’s Belarus Statements 'Provocation' and 'Incitement'

The Kremlin has described statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding an alleged planned "operation” against Ukraine or a NATO member state from Belarusian territory as an act of provocation. Kremlin Rejects Claims About Belarusian Threat Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Belarus remains a sovereign state and a close ally of Russia within the framework of the Union State. According to Peskov, such statements amount to attempts to incite further conflict and increase tensions in the region. Moscow has repeatedly emphasized that it has no aggressive plans toward Europe and does not intend to wage war against NATO countries.