“Neither the Ukrainian people, nor the Russians, nor the Belarusians need it,” he continued in the interview. “It’s them in the West, who need [the war]. I cannot reveal these facts, they are absolutely classified. But sometimes they speak openly — high-ranking people. Saying, let them beat each other — Ukrainians, Russians — let everyone die in this cauldron.”
Under Lukashenko, who is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belarus has allowed Russian troops to attack Ukraine through its territory. Russia has also stationed nuclear weapons in Belarus, to the chagrin of the European Union.
His plea for peace comes as Ukraine’s most significant offensive action of the largely defensive war since Russia’s full-scale invasion enters its third week. Ukraine’s military now controls over 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory in the Kursk region.
Against the backdrop of the Kursk operation, Lukashenko sent troops to the border with Ukraine recently to “stop possible Ukrainian breakthrough.” At the same time, he claims he has no hard feelings toward Ukraine.
“Ukrainians saw that. They constantly told us they didn’t need war with Belarus. We understand this and say we will not fight with you [Ukrainians],” Lukashenko said. According to him Belarus and Russia are not interested in expanding the contact line.
“The entire border is 1,200 kilometers. Now the northeastern district of the front is 1,000. Are we ready for more? No. And Kursk showed this,” Lukashenko added.
