Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko has offered unsolicited advice to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying Kyiv must “negotiate” with Moscow if it wants to preserve Ukraine’s current borders.

According to Russian state media cited by RBC-Ukraine, the self-proclaimed Belarusian leader said he “did not see anything” in the Trump administration’s proposed peace plan that would prevent Kyiv from striking an agreement with Russia.

Lukashenko, who allowed Russia to use Belarusian territory to launch its full-scale invasion, also issued a thinly veiled threat, claiming Ukraine could instantly lose its access to the Black Sea:

“As long as Ukraine has access to the sea, Odesa and Mykolaiv, this may disappear in a single moment.”

Advertisement

He further argued that the war might produce “no winners,” and if one emerges, “it will not be the European Union.” Lukashenko added that he “believes more than ever” in a rapid end to the war.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Belarus has played a key role in enabling the assault. Lukashenko opened Belarusian territory to Russian troops, missiles and aircraft, making his regime directly complicit in the war.

Earlier this month President Volodymyr Zelensky issued one of his strongest statements yet toward Belarus, saying during a briefing attended by Kyiv Post that self-proclaimed President Alexander Lukashenko “will pay” for allowing Russian forces to launch the full-scale invasion of Ukraine from Belarusian territory on Feb. 24, 2022.

Zelensky: Europe Needs Anti-Ballistic Shield After 73 Missiles, 656 Drones Strike
Other Topics of Interest

Zelensky: Europe Needs Anti-Ballistic Shield After 73 Missiles, 656 Drones Strike

President Zelensky on Tuesday called for Europe to develop its own anti-ballistic missile defense system after Russia launched a massive overnight strike involving 656 drones and 73 missiles. He said the attack, which killed at least 17 people and injured over 100, shows that Ukraine and Europe remain vulnerable without stronger air defenses. Zelensky also stressed the need for continued US support in supplying Patriot missiles to counter ballistic threats.

Lukashenko should not forget,” Zelensky said.

“Now he has become very talkative in the media and tries to show how kind he is to our people. We did not need his kindness at four in the morning when the rockets arrived.”

He stressed that Ukrainians remember exactly how the invasion began.

“If he thinks he can talk away our memory… We are young people, we remember everything very well,” Zelensky said.

Advertisement

“And he will still pay for what he has done – for allowing the attack from his territory. The start of the full-scale war came at us from Belarus. Nobody will forget this.”

Lukashenko’s latest comments follow intensifying discussions between the United States, Europe, and Ukraine over potential models for future security guarantees and a long-term settlement.

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here
You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter