Lukashenko says he is ready to visit Ukraine, Zelenskyy's office responds sharply
Photo: Alexander Lukashenko (Getty Images)
The Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has declared his openness to a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He even said he is ready to come to Ukraine. However, the Ukrainian Presidential Office met such statements with skepticism, according to the Belarusian state agency BelTA and a statement by Ukrainian presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn.
The Belarusian leader responded to Zelenskyy’s claims that Russia is trying to drag Belarus into the war against Ukraine. Lukashenko insists this could only happen in the event of an attack on Belarus. In that case, he said, Belarus would stand together with Russia to defend the "motherland from Brest to Vladivostok."
"Therefore, if we are drawn into the war, including if it is against Ukraine, it will only be in one case — if they commit aggression against us. We have no intention of getting involved in the war in Ukraine. There is no need for that — neither civilian nor military," he said.
Lukashenko also stated that he is open to talks with Zelenskyy, particularly to discuss "issues of Belarusian-Ukrainian relations."
"At any location — in Ukraine or Belarus — I am ready to meet him and discuss the problems of Belarusian-Ukrainian relations. And possibly talk about prospects. For some reason, we have things to discuss with Americans, Germans, Poles, Lithuanians, and Latvians, but nothing to talk about with Ukraine," Lukashenko said.
How the Ukrainian Presidential Office responds
In response to a question from RBC-Ukraine, presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn responded sharply to Lukashenko’s statements. According to Lytvyn, Lukashenko’s words have meant nothing since 2022, when Belarus became a staging ground for Russia’s aggression.
"Therefore, we are watching his actions. Lukashenko has a habit of making up rather stupid stories, post factum, about where an 'attack was being prepared' against him. There’s nothing to discuss," he said.
Lytvyn also noted that Zelenskyy today visited Slavutych, near the Belarusian border, and spoke with local communities about security issues.
Zelenskyy recently said Russia has five possible scenarios for expanding its war against Ukraine from the north, including Belarus as part of Kremlin plans.
Against this backdrop, large-scale security measures have begun today in the Chernihiv, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Volyn, and Rivne regions. Defense forces and the SBU will inspect citizens and search for possible saboteurs.
Meanwhile, Belarus and Russia are conducting joint nuclear exercises. According to the Center for Countering Disinformation, these drills have three objectives.
