US threatens Belarus with new sanctions if it actively assist to Moscow in war with Ukraine

This was stated at a briefing by the head of the press service of the US Department of State Ned Price, BBC reports.

"If we see the potential for this (attempts to provide additional support - ed.), we will give a proportional response by introducing additional measures," he said.

Price also commented on the statement of Russian President Vladimir Putin, which he made at a press conference following the talks with Alexander Lukashenko, that Russia is not going to "absorb" any state, in particular Belarus.

The State Department spokesperson called it "the height of irony" that this phrase came from the lips of "the leader of a country that is now trying to forcibly absorb another of its peaceful neighbors."

Lukashenko's dependence on Putin, raises fears in Kyiv that the Russian president may force him to join the military actions that Russia is waging against Ukraine.