Relations with Russia, nuclear weapons, possibility of blow to Kiev from Minsk in Lukashenko’s interview with Associated Press

5 мая 2022
Belarus is doing its best to ensure that there is no war between Russia and Ukraine. The situation in Ukraine, the exercise of the Armed Forces of our country, the allied relations between Belarus and Russia and other hot topics on the international agenda were discussed by  Alexander Lukashenko and the Associated Press news agency. 

According to the Belarusian leader, Belarus is in no way interested in the war, as well as the entire post-Soviet space. This cannot be said about the real curators of the conflict: the Western politicians. The President also estimated the probability of the nuclear war and answered the question if the Belarusian army threatens Kiev. 

Of course, they touched on Ukraine, especially on the Belarusian military exercises. 

Lukashenko: Belarus is doing its utmost so that there was no war between Russia and Ukraine

"We strongly oppose any war. We have done and are doing everything to stop this war," said Alexander Lukashenko.

The President noted that it was thanks to the Belarusian side that the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia were launched. "I know Russia's position. I know what Russia offers to Ukraine. But why Ukraine, on whose territory there is actually a war, hostilities, people dying, is not interested in these negotiations, is another question. But the answer to this question can be found in Washington," the head of state hinted. - Today it's not Zelensky who rules Ukraine. You rule there.”

It is worth noting that this time the major Western media outlet is not represented by a fakemaker a la Matthew Chance, but by Associated Press Vice President for international news Ian Phillips. His media portfolio includes dozens of interviews with leaders in Latin America and the Middle East. Hence the clear question: why did the conflict in Ukraine drag on?

А. Lukashenko: The operation has dragged on

Alexander Lukashenko said he didn't think the Russian special operation would "drag on like this." "But I'm not so immersed in the problem to say whether it's going according to the plan there. I emphasize it once again: I feel that this operation is too long," said the Belarusian leader.