Belarus Expels Large Number of Ukrainian Diplomats... Possibility of Military Involvement Increases

Withdrawal Order for 12 Diplomats Within 72 Hours
Concerns Over Strikes in Western Ukraine if Belarus Intervenes

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Belarus, a key ally of Russia, has announced the mass expulsion of Ukrainian diplomats from its territory, raising strong possibilities of its involvement in the conflict. If Belarus enters the war, it could secure a corridor to directly strike Ukraine's western region, where Russian ground forces have so far refrained from launching attacks, raising concerns that it may attempt to cut off support coming from the West.

According to AFP on the 23rd (local time), the Belarusian government stated that it will expel all Ukrainian diplomats except for four, including the Ukrainian ambassador stationed in the capital, Minsk. It is known that there are currently more than 20 Ukrainian diplomats and staff members stationed in Belarus.

A spokesperson for the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "Belarus has decided to reduce the number of Ukrainian diplomats on our territory," adding, "This measure is to prevent some staff members of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission from engaging in non-diplomatic activities." The spokesperson also added, "The Ukrainian consulate in Brest, western Belarus, will also be closed."

Earlier, after Russia invaded Ukraine, Belarus withdrew its diplomats from Ukraine. The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that this measure was taken due to Ukraine's hostile acts, stating, "Since 2020, there have been numerous unfriendly acts by Ukraine, and the Ukrainian authorities have begun to intervene directly or indirectly in our internal affairs."

The Ukrainian side immediately protested. In a statement on the same day, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "We view Belarus's actions as a new hostile measure," and added, "Twelve Ukrainian diplomats have been ordered to leave Belarus within 72 hours." Ukraine believes that Belarus deliberately took provocative measures in response to Russia's request for participation in the war.

According to CNN, the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) also view the possibility of Belarus joining the Ukraine war as high. Citing a senior NATO official, CNN reported, "The likelihood of Belarus intervening in this war is increasing," and "Russian President Vladimir Putin is in need of support and will want any help available."

CNN also reported that U.S. and NATO intelligence agencies believe Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has recently been purging some generals who oppose involvement in the war to create a pro-war atmosphere.

If Belarus intervenes in the war, there are concerns that offensives against Ukraine's western region, where Russian ground forces have so far refrained from attacks, will intensify. According to the Associated Press, the Belarusian military currently has about 20,000 available troops, so its overall strength is not seen as a major problem. However, if Russian forces launch offensives from the Belarusian border area toward western Ukrainian cities such as Lviv, it could block the support routes from the West to Ukraine.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.