Łukašenka promotes peace talks, criticizes Ukraine’s counteroffensive

June 8, BPN. Ukraine has “suffered a serious defeat” during the three days of its counteroffensive, Alaksandr Łukašenka has told security officials from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states at a meeting in Minsk.

“What we see and the information I received from the president of Russia [Vladimir Putin] coincide fully: about three dozen tanks destroyed, [these tanks were] advancing, Ukrainian ones,” his press office quoted him as saying.

“It’s easier to defend than to advance,” Łukašenka said noting that over 2,100 Ukrainians were killed, while Russian casualties totaled just over 70.

The West is clinging ferociously to Ukraine to subdue Russia and “wipe its feet on it,” he claimed. “That’s not going to happen. You know the Russians and you know us – we will not kneel down.”

“We have been labeled co-aggressors because we are on the same side with Russia,” Łukašenka said stressing that Belarusian authorities promoted peace talks and even hosted some of the first meetings. “Then the command came not to fly to Belarus [for peace talks]. I know that for sure,” he added.

“There is no other way out but to negotiate,” he stressed.

In February 2022, Russia started a full-scale war against Ukraine. Łukašenka admitted that Belarus participated in Russia’s war on Ukraine, but said it was “not killing anyone.”

Authorities in Minsk denied Belarusian army troops’ involvement in combat operations on the Russian side. However, Belarus allowed Russian troops and weapons to move freely through the country, use its airspace, refuel and store military equipment and attack Ukraine from its territory.

A 20,000-strong grouping of Russian forces crossed into Ukraine from Belarus at the outset of the war, Łukašenka told journalists in July 2022, while Ukraine estimated their number at some 70,000 troops and 7,000 armored vehicles. Later they were forced to retreat from northern Ukraine.