Recent actions by Ukrainian and Belarusian leaders indicate a deterioration in relations between countries. A spokesperson for the Ministry of abroad Affairs of Ukraine, Heorhi Tychyj, called Alaksandra Lukashenko a “caral” in consequence to the message of the Belarusian leader, in which he compared the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenski to a “suck”.
Lukashenko's message provoked large emotions in Ukraine and beyond. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian MFA Heorhiy Tychyj commented on this message on the X portal, claiming that "the insults to the head of the Ukrainian state are unacceptable". Tychyj added that "the transition to the field of entomology will surely not benefit the cockroach". This refers to the fact that Lukashenko is frequently compared to a mustached cockroach with a fairy tale for children.
It is worth noting that Lukashenko is simply a controversial figure in east Europe. His government is liable for human rights violations and the fight against the opposition. In 2020, during the protests against his regime, Siarhi Cichanouski, the husband of the current leader of the Belarusian opposition, Swiatlana Cichanousska, campaigned under the slogan "Stop Karaluch".
Relations between Ukraine and Belarus have been strained for a long time. In 2022, during the truce between Russia and Ukraine, Belarus appealed for the withdrawal of the agreement and the restoration of control over the border. The fresh statements by Lukashenko and Tychya indicate that tensions between countries may increase.
According to the Ukrainian Press Agency, relations between Ukraine and Belarus have deteriorated importantly in fresh months. In July 2022, the Ukrainian National safety and Defence Council declared Belarus a "threat for national security".
The results of polls conducted by the investigation institute Razumkov Centre indicate that 71.4% of Ukrainians consider Belarus a threat to national security, while 21.1% consider it a "neutral partner". Furthermore, 62.1% of Ukrainians believe that relations between Ukraine and Belarus will deteriorate in the coming months.
It is worth noting that the European Union and the United States criticise the Lukashenko government for violating human rights and fighting the opposition. In 2020, the European Union imposed sanctions on Belarus for "violating human rights" and "defeating the opposition".
Data on trade show that in 2022 Ukrainian exports to Belarus amounted to $1.3 billion, while imports from Belarus amounted to $2.1 billion. This means that Belarus is an crucial trading partner for Ukraine.
In global relations, the European Union and the United States support Ukraine in its efforts to become members of these organisations. In 2022, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenski announced that Ukraine supports membership of the European Union and NATO.
In summary, relations between Ukraine and Belarus are tense and tend to deteriorate. The fresh statements by Lukashenko and Tychya indicate that tensions between countries may increase.
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Relations between Ukraine and Belarus: a fresh phase of tension
