Three Presidents boycott photo with Lukashenko at UN climate summit in Dubai
UN Climate Change Conference COP28 (Getty Images)
The Presidents of Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland boycotted the joint photo at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 on Friday. The reason was the presence of the self-proclaimed President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, according to LRT.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda opposed any photos with Lukashenko.
"It was hypocritical to stand shoulder to shoulder with the head of a state that has become a platform for Russian aggression against Ukraine and discuss the future of the world and climate change," he said.
The Lithuanian leader also notes that the Belarusian regime contributes to the destruction of the world's future and, together with Russia, bears responsibility for what is happening in Ukraine - loss of life as well as the catastrophic impact on the environment.
"It's called a family photo. Lukashenko does not belong to the family we want to belong to," added the President of Lithuania.
The Presidents of Latvia and Poland, Egils Rinkēvičs and Andrzej Duda, also refused to be present for the photo.
Belarus's role in the Russia-Ukraine war
Belarus is aiding Russia in the war against Ukraine. At the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, terrorists attacked the country, including from the territory of Belarus. At that time, the enemy captured parts of the Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy regions. Later, Ukrainian soldiers reclaimed those territories.
Russians also used Belarus to launch missile strikes on the country.
Besides, so-called Russian-Belarusian drills allow Moscow to station its troops in Belarus.
Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Serhii Naiev, notes that the Ukrainian military closely monitors the border with Belarus and is ready to react promptly in case of a threat.
