Ukraine war: After tensions, Lukashenko calls for negotiations

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has called for negotiations to de-escalate tensions surrounding his country's potential involvement in the Ukraine war. Amidst speculation about Belarus's role, Lukashenko asserted a "peaceful position," stating his country has no aggressive intentions and does not wish to fight Ukrainians. He claimed to have recently met with a Ukrainian delegation and warned them against drawing Belarus into the conflict.

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Our position is peaceful. Let us negotiate, people.

"Let us negotiate, people," Lukashenko was quoted as saying, according to state news agency Belta. He suggested opening the border to allow Ukrainians to gather berries and mushrooms in Belarusian border areas, emphasizing a desire for peace. He also mentioned discussing these points with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated accusations of war preparations by Minsk. He pointed to ongoing construction of roads, weapons, and fuel depots along Ukraine's border with Belarus, which he stated have exclusively military purposes. Zelenskyy shared maps and satellite images to support these claims and urged Belarus to de-escalate and halt the construction.

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Along our state border with Belarus, construction work for roads, weapons and fuel depots is being completed, which have no other purpose than a military one.

These developments follow weeks of rising tensions between Minsk and Kyiv. Ukraine has repeatedly warned Belarus against direct participation in the war, citing evidence of offensive preparations. While Russian troops launched attacks from Belarusian territory during the initial invasion over four years ago, Lukashenko has not yet committed his own forces. However, media reports suggest increasing pressure from the Kremlin on Minsk, particularly as Russian troops face difficulties in the Donbas region.

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Will we shoot at these machine fitters, milkmaids and workers who do not want to fight the Belarusians at all? We also do not want to fight the Ukrainians.