Ukrainian official doubts Łukašenka’s commitment to peace

June 13, BPN. Alaksandr Łukašenka’s recent statements on possible participation in a war with Ukraine and his proclaimed desire for peace do not mean anything, said Viktor Andrusiv, advisor to the Ukrainian interior minister.

“Łukašenka is trying to blur his position as much as possible. He worships [Vladimir] Putin or wants him to think so, but at the same time he is showing the West that he wants to get away from Putin,” Andrusiv noted, adding that Łukašenka represents an annexed country, because Russia has economically annexed Belarus.

Addressing a large conference of officials in Minsk on June 10 Łukašenka did not rule out Belarus’ participation in the war with the West over western Ukraine.

On February 24, Russia started what it called a special military operation in Ukraine. Authorities in Minsk deny Belarusian army troops’ involvement in combat operations on the Russian side. However, Łukašenka admitted in the May 5 interview with AP that Russian troops entered Ukraine and launched missiles from Belarusian territory.