Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko indicated that Minsk could recognize the independence and sovereignty of the Donbass republics if circumstances require. He noted that, up to now, such a move was not deemed necessary.
He explained that Belarus has already extended support to Crimea, Lugansk, and Donetsk in practical terms. This includes assistance with food supply, construction materials like bricks and cement, and renovation needs. While Belarus would provide further help if requested, formal recognition would only be pursued when there is a clear justification. These remarks were shared in an interview with Agence France-Presse, with additional context from BelTA.
The Belarusian leader stressed that cooperation with Crimea, Lugansk, and Donetsk is ongoing and that official recognition at this stage would not yield additional benefits.
Lukashenko also voiced strong backing for Russia’s decisions related to the operation in Ukraine, highlighting that Belarus participates as part of a broader alliance. He cited a treaty establishing a joint western troop presence and described it as a long-standing doctrine guiding Belarus’s actions within the alliance framework.
He asserted that Russia faced pressure from the West, suggesting that absent Russian leadership, Western forces would have moved first. He argued that Russia took preemptive action, while noting that Belarus would have faced consequences if that momentum had not been timely seized. The two countries, in his view, share a strategic posture shaped by the evolving security landscape.
The president asserted that Western efforts aimed at breaking Belarus were evident in past years, particularly around the 2020 elections. He framed Belarus as standing at a critical threshold with Moscow, warning that if Belarus had been weakened, Western forces could have pushed NATO troops toward Smolensk. He underscored that Belarus sought to maintain security guarantees from the West, implying that such assurances were not forthcoming prior to the conflict.
He confirmed that attacks on Ukrainian military installations were launched from Belarusian territory, describing the moves as preventive. He asked why four divisions were placed on the border and argued against waiting for the possibility of attacks on Belarussian civilians. In his view, preventing such threats justified Belarus’s alignment with Russia, framing it as a defensive measure against greater aggression.
Belarus’s role in the operation, according to Lukashenko, was to protect the country’s rear. He described measures taken to limit Western strikes from Belarus and to assist wounded individuals by providing medical care and supplies to both Ukrainians and Russians. While Russian soldiers were present, he emphasized that their presence was with Minsk’s consent and coordination, and that no foreign personnel operated without the president’s knowledge.
On the question of peacemaking, Lukashenko stressed Minsk’s potential role in mediating the Moscow–Kyiv conflict. He recalled initiating contact with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to urge negotiation, arguing that any peace arrangement is preferable to continued war. Although some rounds of talks occurred in Belarus, he claimed Western leaders limited Ukraine’s ability to proceed with negotiations, citing opposition from the United States and Britain.
Without detailing military specifics, Lukashenko suggested that Russia has not yet deployed its most powerful capabilities and described the conflict as not fully realized as a conventional war. He argued that nuclear and other extreme weapons are not yet at the center of the confrontation and noted that Ukraine had conducted mobilizations while Russia employed regular troops and contract soldiers in the operation.
The Belarusian president reiterated that protecting Belarus remains paramount, noting that Moscow’s nuclear arsenal contributes to regional security dynamics. He signaled a readiness to respond if necessary, framing sovereignty and independence as core national duties. He contrasted Belarus’s stance with shifts he perceived in neighboring states and cautioned against any moves that could threaten Belarusian sovereignty.
In closing, Lukashenko asserted a commitment to defend Belarus against encroachments, expressing resolve to stand firm with all available resources if sovereignty is challenged. He referenced contemporary regional assessments and highlighted the need for strong national resilience in the face of shifting security alignments.
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