Belarusian opposition expresses gratitude to Macron for call with Lukashenko
French President Emmanuel Macron (photo: Getty Images)
Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus Pavel Latushka thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for warning Aleksandr Lukashenko during their phone conversation on May 24 against dragging the country into the war against Ukraine.
Latushka said that Lukashenko must clearly understand the consequences of his actions after Belarusian territory was involved in Russia's nuclear blackmail against neighboring states.
"A man who has painted a target on Belarus through yet another act of Russian nuclear blackmail directed at Belarus's neighbors must clearly understand the consequences of his actions," he noted.
Latushka added that Lukashenko must understand he will bear full responsibility for any aggressive actions and military provocations originating from Belarusian territory.
He believes that "the only language Lukashenko understands is the language of power and warnings delivered from a position of strength," and France possesses such strength.
According to Radio Svaboda, Macron strongly warned Lukashenko against any attempts to involve Belarus in Russia's war against Ukraine. The French leader reportedly pointed to catastrophic consequences for Minsk if Belarusian territory were used in the conflict.
Notably, on May 24, Macron spoke on the phone with Lukashenko.
Earlier, on May 18, Belarus and Russia began joint drills involving the use of nuclear weapons. The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine stated that Russia's deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus and the joint nuclear drills pose a serious challenge to the global security system.
Tensions along the northern border have been escalating since mid-April, when Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia was attempting to drag Belarus into the war.
