Russian Deputy Speaker Konstantin Kosachev said Moscow and Minsk would respond jointly to any military aggression against Belarus, describing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent threats as serious and warning that an attack on Belarus would be met with a united response from the two allied states.
Speaking to TASS, Kosachev, who serves as deputy speaker of the Russian Federation Council, said that Russia and Belarus are part of the Union State and are military allies. "Anyone discussing the possibility of a military operation against Belarus should clearly understand that they would face a joint response from our two allied states," he said, when asked whether Russia would defend Belarus in the event of an attack by the Ukrainian army.
His remarks came after Zelensky issued new threats against Belarus on June 19. The Ukrainian president said he was prepared to order strikes on equipment that, according to him, is deployed on Belarusian territory along the border with Ukraine, if it is not removed within a week. Zelensky also claimed that "relay transmitters are installed on the towers."
Kosachev characterized Zelensky as "an irrational and unpredictable person," saying that his threats against Belarus must be taken seriously. "Naturally, this must be taken seriously because Zelensky is, unfortunately, an irrational and unpredictable man, a man obsessed with a thirst for power," Kosachev said in an interview with TASS. "[He wants] to remain in power and prove that he is winning. To that end, any means will do, so to speak. From his perspective, the end justifies the means, including aggression against Belarus and dragging Belarus into this conflict."
The Russian official added that Zelensky operates under the "illusion" that Belarus can be attacked "easily," given the country's relatively small size and its geographical proximity to Ukraine. "Therefore, we must treat this with the utmost seriousness," Kosachev said.
The statements from Moscow come amid heightened tensions between Ukraine and Belarus, with Kyiv accusing Minsk of allowing Russian forces to use its territory for military purposes. Belarusian officials have denied the allegations, and Minsk has repeatedly said it has no intention of entering the conflict.
Russia and Belarus have a formal military alliance under the Union State framework, which includes mutual defense commitments. The two countries have also conducted joint military exercises in recent months, further raising concerns in Kyiv and among Western officials about the potential for Belarusian involvement in the war.
Kosachev's comments reflect Moscow's position that any attack on Belarus would be considered an attack on Russia, given the alliance obligations. His characterization of Zelensky as "irrational" and "obsessed with power" aligns with the Kremlin's broader narrative of the Ukrainian leadership, which Moscow has repeatedly accused of endangering regional stability.