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Belarusian President Declares No Plans to Join War, Seeks Talks with Ukraine
Confirmed
In Short: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that his country will not join the ongoing war against Ukraine unless its territory is attacked, while expressing readiness to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for talks.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko declared that Belarus has no plans to join the ongoing war against Ukraine unless its territory comes under attack, according to Kyivpost and Belta. He also expressed openness to direct talks with Zelenskyy, stating he would be ready to meet the Ukrainian president 'at any point' to discuss bilateral relations and future prospects.
Lukashenko's comments come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Ukrainian intelligence has evidence of Russia attempting to draw Belarus more directly into the war, including plans for the deployment of forces from Belarusian territory towards the Chernihiv-Kyiv axis, as per Kyivpost.
In response to Zelensky's statements, Lukashenko emphasized that Belarus would only be involved in the conflict if its territory is attacked, stating, 'Belarus will only be involved in one case – if aggression is committed against our territory.' He added, 'In that case, we [with Russia] will defend our homeland together, from Brest to Vladivostok, where the two states are located,' as reported by Ukrinform.
Zelensky also mentioned that military planning related to possible Russian offensive operations in the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction had been discussed during a meeting of the Ukrainian Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff, according to Ukrinform.
Background: Belarus has been a key ally of Russia in the conflict, but Lukashenko has maintained a cautious stance, avoiding direct involvement in the war, which has been ongoing since February 2022.
What's confirmed
- Lukashenko also said he remains open to direct talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and would be ready to meet him “at any point” in Ukraine or Belarus to discuss bilateral relations and possible future…
What's still developing
- In brief: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Belarus has no plans to join the war against Ukraine unless its territory comes under attack.
- According to comments published by Belarusian state news agency Belta, Lukashenko said Belarus does not intend to become directly involved in Russia’s war against Ukraine unless Belarusian territory comes under attack.
- “If he wants to talk about something, consult or anything else, we are open to it,” Lukashenko said, referring to Zelensky.
- On Friday, Zelensky reported that Ukrainian intelligence has evidence that Russia is attempting to draw Belarus more directly into the war.
- According to him, Russia is considering operational plans involving the deployment of forces from Belarusian territory toward the Chernihiv-Kyiv axis.
- He said Kyiv had identified contacts between Russian officials and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko regarding possible new military actions.
- Speaking to journalists, Lukashenko said Belarus would only be drawn into the conflict if its own territory came under attack, Ukrinform reports, citing the Belarusian state news agency BELTA.
- "As for his [Zelensky's] statements that Belarus will be dragged into the war, I have just said: Belarus will only be involved in one case – if aggression is committed against our territory. In that case, we [with…