Lead

Russia on Thursday denied exerting pressure on Belarus to support an expansion of the war in Ukraine, while Belarus said it was the West that was trying to drag it into the conflict, as reported by The Hindu. The denials come after a Wall Street Journal report, cited by both The Hindu and the Jerusalem Post, claimed that Russia wanted to use Belarusian territory to intensify attacks on Ukraine.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage of the story varied in emphasis. The Jerusalem Post framed the situation around Russia's increasing pressure on its ally, citing former and current Russian and European officials who told the Wall Street Journal that Russia had requested to use Belarusian territory to launch more drones into Ukraine, and that the Kremlin had floated using Belarus, where it stores tactical nuclear weapons, in operations against NATO countries. The Hindu's report, by contrast, centered on the denials from Russia and Belarus, quoting Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov and Belarusian Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin, while also noting the Wall Street Journal's report that Russia had threatened to cut financial support to Belarus if it did not agree to step up attacks.

Key Claims

The Jerusalem Post reported that Russia has been pressuring Belarus to open a new front against Ukraine, citing the Wall Street Journal. The Hindu noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said repeatedly that he believes Moscow wants to get Belarus more involved on the Russian side. The Jerusalem Post also reported that Belarus stores tactical nuclear weapons, and that the Kremlin considered using Belarus in operations against NATO countries.

Both outlets reported that rail shipments of gasoline from Belarusian refineries to Russia surged nearly 13-fold in the first five months of this year, and that Belarus has been selling oil and gas to Russia amid a deepening fuel crisis. The Jerusalem Post said Belarus has two large refineries that process Russian oil and sell gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel back to Russia.

The Jerusalem Post, citing the Wall Street Journal, said that Moscow has been using more ground drone stations in Belarus, where about 2,000 Russian troops are stationed. The Hindu reported that Mr. Zelenskyy said last Friday that signal relay stations in Belarus were being used to guide Russian drone attacks on Ukraine. The Jerusalem Post reported that Mr. Zelenskyy warned Lukashenko to take down Russian ground drone stations.

The Jerusalem Post also reported that the Trump administration lifted some sanctions on Belarus in September, and in exchange, Lukashenko gradually released around 500 political prisoners. The Hindu reported that Belarus shares borders with Russia, Ukraine, and three NATO states, making it strategically important to all sides.

Perspectives

Russia: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected the Wall Street Journal report, saying it "does not correspond to reality" and that Belarus is "our closest ally," as quoted by The Hindu. Belarus: President Alexander Lukashenko said earlier this month that it is "absolutely unacceptable" for the war to spill over into Belarusian territory, adding that his country is "very vulnerable militarily," as quoted by the Jerusalem Post. Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin said the West is stoking tension, citing NATO troop reinforcements, infrastructure upgrades, and expanding military budgets near Belarus's borders, as quoted by The Hindu. Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly said he believes Moscow wants to get Belarus more involved on the Russian side, and warned of Russian drone guidance stations in Belarus, as reported by both outlets.