Lukashenko: 'If I Offended Zelenskyy, I Apologize. Perhaps I Exaggerated'

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has declared that his country will not be involved in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a stance he says is shared by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Lukashenko conveyed this message in an interview with Al Arabiya, as reported by Meduza. He asserted that Belarus's participation in the war would be more detrimental than beneficial, highlighting the country's military vulnerability and the potential for Ukrainian strikes on critical infrastructure.

“

If Volodymyr Zelenskyy was offended by my words, I apologize to him. Perhaps it was not necessary to speak so harshly, especially given the circumstances he is in and the war he is waging.

"Belarus is militarily very vulnerable. The Ukrainian army has a view of almost our entire territory," Lukashenko stated, adding that Ukraine has no reason to fear Belarus and that his country poses no threat to its neighbor. He suggested that involving Belarus in the conflict would expose its key infrastructure, production, and logistics facilities to immediate attack.

In a notable shift, Lukashenko also extended an apology to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for past critical statements. "If Volodymyr Zelenskyy was offended by my words, I apologize to him. Perhaps it was not necessary to speak so harshly, especially given the circumstances he is in and the war he is waging," he said. However, he simultaneously advised Zelenskyy to be more cautious with his own statements and to stop provoking Belarusians.

“

Belarus is militarily very vulnerable. The Ukrainian army has a view of almost our entire territory.

This comes after Ukrainian officials, including Zelenskyy in April, had expressed concerns about increased military activities in Belarus and the possibility of Russia attempting to draw Minsk into the war. Lukashenko has consistently maintained that he does not desire conflict but is prepared to respond if Ukraine were to attack Belarus.

“

Ukraine has no reason to fear Belarus and that his country poses no threat to its neighbor.