Putin does not want Belarus drawn into war with Ukraine, Belarusian leader says
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin (photo: Getty Images)
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is allegedly not interested in drawing Belarus into the war against Ukraine, according to Lukashenko's interview with Al Arabiya English, as cited by Belta.
What Lukashenko said about his talks with Putin
Responding to a question about a possible new offensive against Ukraine from Belarusian territory, Lukashenko assured that he had discussed a completely different issue with the Kremlin leader.
According to him, they had allegedly "many times discussed the fact that it is absolutely unacceptable for the war between Ukraine and Russia to spill over onto Belarusian territory."
Lukashenko quoted the Kremlin leader directly.
"We understand that Belarus entering the war, the conflict, in any capacity is unacceptable. It would bring more harm than benefit," he quoted Putin as saying.
Three reasons not to go to war
Lukashenko named several reasons why Belarus allegedly will not enter the war.
The first is military vulnerability. According to him, Belarus is "fully exposed" to the Ukrainian military, and its key infrastructure is under threat.
"Our main life-support facilities — industrial and logistics facilities — would come under attack. As they have stated, they already have 500 such targets designated on the territory of Belarus," he said.
The second is the people's unwillingness to fight, as many military personnel would be killed.
The third is the expansion of the front line.
"For Russia, first and foremost, if it attacked Kyiv from Belarusian territory, the front line would increase by 1,500 kilometers of the Belarus-Ukraine border," Lukashenko explained.
He added that Belarusians and Russians would not be able to ensure the protection of this section under the current conditions of the war.
Risk of war with NATO
Separately, the leader warned about the risk of the conflict expanding. In his words, if an attack were launched from Belarusian territory, NATO could deploy its troops to Ukraine.
"And this war would take on a new character. It would be a war between Belarus and Russia against the NATO bloc," he said.
Is there a threat to Ukraine?
Responding to the question, Lukashenko assured that Ukraine has "absolutely nothing" to fear from Belarus.
"And they know it, and the military knows it. The people of Ukraine know it. This issue is being fueled because of certain political ambitions," he added.
Threat from Belarus
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously stated that Russia is considering several scenarios for expanding the war, including the involvement of Belarus.
Ukraine's State Border Guard Service said the 1,085-kilometer border with Belarus remains under control and is heavily fortified.
Belarus conducted joint nuclear exercises with Russia, while statements from Minsk regularly claim alleged attacks by Ukrainian drones.
Due to the threat from Belarus, border communities in the Volyn region decided to install anti-drone nets along roads.
