Ukraine-Belarus: A Tale Of Two Close Nations

Belarus and Ukraine are neighbouring countries in Eastern Europe. They share a border of about 1,084 km (674 mi) that starts at the border with Poland in the west and stretches to the border with Russia in the east. The two countries have longstanding cultural and historic ties, with many in southern Belarus having relatives in Ukraine. Belarus allowed Russia to invade Ukraine through its territory in February 2022, and the two countries have maintained close relations since.

Belarus and Ukraine share a 1,084km (674-mile) border

Belarus and Ukraine are neighbouring countries in Eastern Europe. They share a border with a length of about 1,084km (674 miles). This border has existed since World War I and the emergence of the Ukrainian People's Republic in 1918. The modern state of the border is dated to the Treaty between the Ukrainian SSR and the Belarusian SSR from 12 December 1990, which was recognised by the Supreme Soviet of Belarus on 11 June 1993.

The border starts at the triple junction with Poland in the west and stretches to the triple junction with Russia in the east. It is situated in the Polesian Lowland and starts at the Western Bug, around the Shatsky Lakes, and runs eastward across the Pinsk Marshes. It then stretches parallel to the south of the Pripyat River, passing through areas contaminated by the Chernobyl disaster. As the border reaches the Dnieper River, it turns north towards Homiel and runs along the river. At the midpoint between Homiel and Ripky, the border turns eastward again towards the Central Russian Upland, where it terminates at the triple junction point with the Russian border.

The border between Belarus and Ukraine is governed by the Agreement between Belarus and Ukraine on friendship, good neighbourliness and cooperation of 17 June 1995, as well as the Treaty on the State Border between the two countries, ratified in 1997. However, the parties have not yet exchanged instruments of ratification. The demarcation of the border is an ongoing process that may continue for several years and require significant resources.

The border between Belarus and Ukraine has been a site of tension and conflict in recent years. In February 2022, Russian troops crossed the border from Belarus into Ukraine as part of the Kyiv offensive during the Russian invasion. In August 2022, Belarus closed its border with Ukraine, claiming that arms were being smuggled into the country as part of an attempt to overthrow the authoritarian regime of President Lukashenko.

Belarus closed its border with Ukraine in 2024

Belarus and Ukraine share a border of about 1,084 km (674 miles) in length. The border starts at the Western Bug river in the west, which also coincides with the border of Poland, and stretches to the border with Russia in the east. The border passes through the Polesian Lowland, running parallel to the Pripyat and Dnieper rivers, and passes through areas contaminated by the Chernobyl disaster.

On 18 August 2024, Belarus closed its border with Ukraine, claiming that arms were being smuggled into the country as part of an attempt by outside powers to overthrow the regime of President Alexander Lukashenko. Lukashenko alleged, without providing proof, that his security services had uncovered foreign-backed terrorist sleeper cells plotting to oust him from power. He claimed that weapons were being shipped to terrorist cells funded by Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, and the US. In response, Ukraine denied interfering in Belarus's domestic affairs and stated that the closure of the border would negatively impact its people.

The border closure deepened a standoff between Belarus and outside powers, following international outrage over the forced landing of a Ryanair flight in May 2024, which resulted in the arrest of a Belarusian government critic. Western countries imposed sanctions on Belarus in response to this incident.

In the months leading up to the border closure, there were tensions and military activity along the Belarus-Ukraine border. In June 2023, there was discussion of reinforcing the border after the Wagner Group rebellion, and Belarus sent aircraft, air defence forces, and armour to the border in August 2024. Ukraine called on Belarus to pull back its forces, stating that it had not taken and would not take any unfriendly actions against the Belarusian people.

Belarus arrested over 1,600 people for supporting Ukraine

Belarus and Ukraine share a border of about 1,084 km (674 mi) in length. The border starts at the triple junction with Poland in the west and stretches to the triple junction with Russia in the east.

In recent news, Belarus has arrested over 1,600 people for supporting Ukraine. A report by the Viasna human rights center found that at least 1,671 Belarusians were detained for their anti-war stance or for expressing solidarity with Ukraine. At least 200 of those detained have been given prison sentences ranging from one to 25 years on charges of "extremism" and "conspiracy against the state."

The Viasna report also alleged that people were tortured, held in inhumane conditions, and given fines. Some were even subjected to forced psychiatric treatment. Ihor Kyzym, a Ukrainian diplomat who previously served as Kyiv's ambassador to Belarus, stated that at least 12 Ukrainians in Belarus have been convicted of "extremism" and purported links to Ukrainian security agencies. Those convicted were given prison sentences.

Kyzym also mentioned that a 16-year-old student, a Ukrainian official, and individuals with relatives in Belarus were among those sentenced. Human rights activists estimate that Belarus is currently holding approximately 1,300 political prisoners. Many of these prisoners are allegedly being denied adequate medical care and contact with their families.

In contrast, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned a small number of political prisoners, signalling a potential openness to dialogue with the United States and the European Union, which have imposed sanctions in response to his repressive regime. Lukashenko's office recently announced the release of 32 political prisoners, in addition to the 146 pardoned since July. The pardoned individuals had health issues, submitted petitions for pardons, and expressed remorse.

Belarus allowed Russia to invade Ukraine through its territory in 2022

Belarus and Ukraine share a 1,084-kilometre (674-mile) border and have longstanding cultural and historical ties. Many in southern Belarus have relatives in Ukraine.

In 2022, Belarus allowed Russia to invade Ukraine through its territory. Belarus is a close ally of Russia and has supported its eastern neighbour in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In the lead-up to the invasion, Belarus allowed the Russian Armed Forces to perform weeks-long military drills on its territory. However, the Russian troops did not leave the country after they were supposed to finish. Belarus allowed Russia to stage part of the invasion from its territory, giving Russia the shortest possible land route to Ukraine's capital, Kyiv.

On the day of the invasion, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reported about Russian troops trying to break through the Belarus-Ukraine border at the Vilcha border crossing. Russian soldiers also entered Ukraine from Belarus via the unpopulated Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, and a helicopter without identification marks attacked a bridge near Slavutych.

Belarus also allowed Russia full access to its military airbases and army installations to launch attacks on Ukraine. On 24 February 2022, the Ukrainian commander-in-chief reported that four ballistic missiles were launched from Belarus towards southwestern Ukraine. Satellite images also revealed the presence of Russian helicopters and ground vehicles stationed near the Ukrainian border.

Despite Belarus's involvement in the invasion, as of early 2023, the Belarusian Armed Forces (BAF) have not directly participated in the conflict and have remained on Belarusian territory. The Belarusian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, has stated that he would not send soldiers into Ukraine unless attacked first. However, there have been reports of Belarusian troops in Ukraine, and Russian soldiers wounded in Ukraine have been treated in Belarusian hospitals.

The involvement of Belarus in the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been condemned internationally, with countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan imposing sanctions. According to polls, the majority of Belarusians oppose their country's involvement in the war and wish to remain neutral.

Ukraine and Belarus have longstanding cultural and historic ties

Ukraine and Belarus are neighbouring countries in Eastern Europe that share a border of about 1,084 km (674 mi). The two countries have longstanding cultural and historic ties. Both countries were historically part of Kievan Rus' (9th to 13th centuries CE) and later came under the control of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569-1795) and the Russian Empire (1721-1917). In the 20th century, they were both part of the Soviet Union, as the Byelorussian SSR and Ukrainian SSR, and became founding members of the United Nations in 1945.

As Slavic nations, Ukraine and Belarus share closely related cultures and are predominantly inhabited by East Slavic ethnic groups. In recent years, there have been efforts to further develop cultural ties between the two countries. For example, in 2018, Ukraine held Days of Ukrainian Culture in Belarus, and the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has expressed interest in reciprocating by holding Days of Belarus in Ukraine.

In addition, the two countries have exchanged broadcast rights for their state-owned television channels, allowing citizens of each country to view the other's programming. There is also potential for cooperation in the tourism industry, as citizens of each country may be interested in visiting the other's historical and cultural sites.

Despite these longstanding cultural and historic ties, the relationship between Ukraine and Belarus has deteriorated in recent years, particularly following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, which was launched in part from Belarus. Belarus has allowed the stationing of Russian troops and equipment on its territory and has stated that Russian nuclear weapons will be present on Belarusian soil. As a result, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on Belarusian officials and restricted Belarusian airlines from operating in its airspace.

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