Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said there were growing disagreements between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine’s military leadership. He claimed a serious rift and confrontation were taking shape between Zelensky and the Ukrainian armed forces, according to his information.
The Belarusian leader argued that the military understands better than most what constitutes an armed conflict with Russia. He noted that soldiers are dying, see what they can achieve, and understand how hard they must fight. He warned that sustaining the fight would become impossible as Russia has altered its tactics. Lukashenko predicted that soon there would be no one left to fight for Ukraine, and that territorial defense could not replace a standing army.
According to him, the rift with Zelensky stemmed from dissatisfaction with Kyiv’s policy toward Poland. He described a scenario in which Poland would accept refugees and provide funds through bilateral channels to Ukraine, while signaling a potential strategic shift in western Ukraine. He suggested Kyiv had granted Polish citizens a special legal status, which he argued could lead to the western regions being cut off from Ukraine. He claimed the Ukrainian army was resisting not only Russian and Belarusian forces on Ukrainian soil but also Polish interests, and warned that those who sought to break Ukraine would face resistance from both sides and from Russia.
policy toward Poland
In late May, Zelensky proposed granting Polish citizens a special legal status in Ukraine, with a draft to be developed by Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry. The move would mirror Poland’s framework to support Ukrainian citizens.
In March, Polish President Andrzej Duda signed amendments to the law on assistance to Ukrainians, extending protection for refugees arriving due to hostilities to 18 months from February 24, with a potential residence permit lasting three years. It would also simplify obtaining a PESEL identification number, enabling access to public services, business, or employment on equal terms with Polish citizens. Zelensky announced an agreement with Warsaw to ease border crossings.
Video messages from the army
There were several instances in which Ukrainian soldiers recorded messages complaining about shortages of weapons, heavy equipment, and air support. Some claimed that leaders fled the battlefield while frontline troops faced machine gun fire against tanks.
On May 24, a video addressed to the Ukrainian president and Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi surfaced, in which the 115th brigade described lacking a single combat commander and sufficient equipment, stating they were sent to what they called certain death. The message emphasized the need for reliable rear leadership and heavy equipment to cover their units. The brigade asserted they were prepared to undertake combat with a dependable rear and proper command.
Subsequent reports from Strana Telegram claimed these soldiers were moved to a pre-trial detention center on charges of desertion. A follow-up video showed another fighter claiming the brigade had what it needed but that some had fled the battlefield and were attempting to justify their actions.
Another speaker insisted that the brigade was fully equipped with weapons, food, and clothing, noting the presence of Javelin anti-tank missiles. He labeled the soldiers who spoke out as fugitives and suggested they had isolated the unit by leaving their positions.
ukrainian army
In May, Zelensky stated that roughly 700,000 people were involved in Ukrainian military operations. He also stressed the need for a much larger force than the previous 250–260 thousand and pointed to a decree signed in early February increasing the Armed Forces by 100,000 over three years. In April, he asserted that Kyiv was prepared to fight for as long as needed and would not surrender territory.
“No desire to seize Ukraine”
Lukashenko argued that the Russian leadership did not intend to seize or enslave Ukraine. He cautioned against demeaning the Russian president while acknowledging the clear resolve of Russia’s forces. He described the broader objective as defending Russia and preventing regional incursions, emphasizing the importance of countering any beachhead that could invite further aggression. He also noted concerns raised by American financier George Soros regarding the risk of a widening conflict and a potential third world war, pointing out that stopping Ukraine remained a priority for Russia’s neighbors and beyond.