On February 18, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine declared a new set of sanctions against the Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, citing his role in supporting Russia's military efforts in Ukraine. Zelensky emphasized the need to combat Belarus's facilitation of violence against Ukrainians and indicated that Ukraine would collaborate with international partners to ensure a widespread impact of these sanctions. The announcements highlight Ukraine's ongoing struggle against the military support that Belarus provides to Russia, which exacerbates the conflict further.

Zelensky revealed that Russia has been utilizing Belarusian territory for military operations, including deploying advanced drone-control systems that have expanded its capacity to launch strikes against northern regions of Ukraine. These capabilities have allowed attacks on critical infrastructure such as energy and transportation systems that would likely not have been achievable without Belarus’s involvement. The Ukrainian government is focusing its efforts on this collaboration between Russia and Belarus as a significant threat to its national security and sovereignty.

Furthermore, it was noted that over 3,000 Belarusian companies are supplying essential machinery and components to Russia, including parts for missiles. This supply chain is crucial for sustaining the Russian military capabilities in the region. The sanctions are part of a broader strategy by Ukraine to not only retaliate against Belarus’s actions but also to seek to disrupt the logistical support that enables Russia's aggression, thereby increasing pressure on Lukashenko's regime and potentially altering the dynamics of the war.