Lukashenko: Belarus Does Not Want War, Seeks 'Civilized Dialogue' with Ukraine

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has declared that his country has no intention of going to war in Ukraine and is prepared for a "civilized dialogue" with Kyiv. Speaking at a festival in Grodno, Lukashenko asserted that Belarus is not an aggressor and wishes to live peacefully.

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Do we have to go to war in Ukraine? Do we want to become cannon fodder? No, we do not want that.

"Do we have to go to war in Ukraine? Do we want to become cannon fodder? No, we do not want that," Lukashenko stated, as quoted by Unian. He emphasized that Belarusians want to be peaceful people and bring peace to nations. "We want peace. We bring peace to nations," he added.

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We want to be peaceful people, we want to live in peace. We want peace. We bring peace to nations.

Lukashenko specifically addressed neighboring countries, saying, "I want the Poles, Lithuanians, and Ukrainians to hear us. We do not want to fight them. However, we are always ready to defend you (Belarusian citizens)," he said in Grodno.

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I want the Poles, Lithuanians, and Ukrainians to hear us. We do not want to fight them. However, we are always ready to defend you (Belarusian citizens).

He further urged people not to believe those who claim Belarus desires war. "I want builders to build, not hold submachine guns or assault rifles. So do not believe those who say we want some kind of war. We have not started any war," Lukashenko insisted. This comes as Ukraine has recently warned that Russia is seeking to involve Belarus more directly in the conflict.

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I want builders to build, not hold submachine guns or assault rifles. So do not believe those who say we want some kind of war. We have not started any war.