Łukašenka argues against Belarus’ direct involvement in war, says it could end within weeks
November 3, Pozirk. Russia’s war against Ukraine has already affected Belarus, Alaksandar Łukašenka told participants in an international security conference in Minsk on November 3, without elaborating.
He argued strongly against Belarus’ direct involvement. In particular, he said that Russia’s frontline currently stretches up to 1,000 kilometers and would be 1,500 kilometers longer if Belarus were drawn into the war.
“We understand, together with Russia, what will happen to us if we go to war. It would be difficult to defend this section. We understand that representatives of the West are already fighting on the other side,” he said. “We understand that if we enter the war, the entire NATO bloc will start fighting us under this pretext. These are Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, adding 2,000 more kilometers along the border. A total of 3,500 kilometers. Who needs this? This is where our position on Ukraine comes from.”
He claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin shared his view and opposed Belarus’ direct involvement in the war.
Łukašenka also argued that the Belarusian people did not want to take part in the war.
“Listen, that is why I am the president: to act based on the will and wishes of the Belarusian people,” he said, adding that none of the nations represented at the security conference wanted to be drawn into the war.
He said he expected the war to end within months, arguing that “there are no forces and no resources” to continue it. He blamed Britain for prolonging the conflict.
“This conflict could have ended within weeks in 2022. Belarus made great efforts to make that happen, but Kyiv’s British friends demanded that it fight until the last Ukrainian, pumping weapons into our southern neighbor. A real opportunity to achieve a peaceful settlement and save thousands of lives was lost.”
He said he is ready to host peace talks at any venue in Minsk, but is not ready to mediate because Belarus is already involved in the conflict and has “considerable, serious” interests.
He stressed that there is no alternative to peaceful settlement.
Łukašenka’s assurances on NATO security ring hollow as Belarus deepens military ties with Russia
Alaksandar Łukašenka again denied on October 13 that Russia planned to attack a Baltic state or Poland from Belarusian territory, dismissing such a scenario at a security conference. While the Belarusian ruler may genuinely wish to avoid dragging his country …
