What has Belarus got to do with the Russia-Ukraine conflict

Belarus has been involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict in several ways:

Strategic Location: Belarus is located between Russia and Ukraine, making it a crucial transit country for energy supplies and military operations. Russia has used Belarus as a buffer zone against NATO, and Belarus has also maintained close ties with Russia.

Border Control: Belarus has control over a portion of the border between Russia and Ukraine, which has been a significant issue in the conflict. There have been reports of Russian military equipment and fighters crossing the border into Ukraine through Belarus, although Belarus has denied any involvement.

Political Support: Belarus has been a close ally of Russia and has expressed its support for Russia's actions in Ukraine. Belarus did not recognize Ukraine's new government after the 2014 Maidan protests, and President Alexander Lukashenko has made statements in support of Russia's annexation of Crimea.

Sanctions: In response to the ongoing conflict, the European Union and the United States have imposed economic sanctions on Russia, which have also affected Belarus due to its close economic ties with Russia.

Overall, Belarus has played a significant role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict due to its strategic location, border control, political support, and economic ties with Russia.