Vague statements by the leader of Belarus, which suggest that he considers Kyiv a potential threat.
Alexander Lukashenko said today that he has been asked to sign a “non-aggression” pact with Ukraine, Belarusian state news agency Belta reported, citing statements by the Belarusian leader suggesting he sees Kyiv as a potential threat.
A close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed the offer – according to him – was made to him at a meeting of the Belarusian government and law enforcement officials.
“(…) They ask us not to go to war with Ukraine under any circumstances, not to move our troops there. We are being proposed to conclude a non-aggression pact, Lukashenko noted, according to his statements cited by Belta – At the moment it is not clear from his comments whether Ukraine itself or the West made this proposal.
Lukashenko also accused Ukraine – without providing evidence – of allowing its territory to be used by the West to train and equip militants who could destabilize the situation in Belarus.
Kyiv has so far not commented on Lukashenko’s statements. Ukrainian officials have expressed concerns that Moscow could use Belarus as a springboard to launch a new attack on Ukraine from the north.
The Kremlin declined to comment “for now” on whether Lukashenko would discuss the offer he claims was made with Putin.
Minsk allowed Moscow to use Belarusian territory to send troops to Ukraine on February 24 last year. However, its own troops have so far not fought in the conflict in Ukraine, but Minsk has stepped up joint military training with Russian forces deployed in Belarus.
In his same speech, cited by Belta, Lukashenko also accused Ukraine of harboring militants who could take part in what he said was a long-term Western plan to destabilize his country.
“I don’t know why Ukrainians need this,” the Belarusian leader asked, according to Belta. His security forces will respond harshly to any threat to internal order, Lukashenko added during the same meeting, noting that he does not want a repeat of the 2020/21 mass protests against him, which he said at the time were part of a according to him, a Western conspiracy for regime change.
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