Ukraine news latest – Chances of new Russian offensive ‘very high’ as Putin sparks fears of joint invasion with Belarus

AS Vladimir Putin visited Belarus yesterday, fears grew in Kyiv that Moscow could draw its closest ally into a new ground offensive in Ukraine. Putin spent the day in Minsk, along with his defence and foreign ministers and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Ukrainian joint forces commander Serhiy Nayev said he believed the visit would address “further aggression against Ukraine and the broader involvement of the Belarusian armed forces in the operation against Ukraine, in particular, in our opinion, also on the ground”.  Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia could be planning another major ground offensive in the new year and he was ready for “all possible defence scenarios” against Putin and his ally. The head of Moldova’s security service, Alexandru Musteata, echoed this opinion, claiming the likelihood of a new ground offensive from Russia targeting his country is “very high.” Read our Ukraine-Russia live blog below for the latest news…