Lukashenko Urges Compromise in Ukraine War, Warns Against Dragging Belarus into Conflict

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has called for compromise to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, saying victory on the battlefield is unrealistic for both sides. In an interview with Al Arabiya television republished by Belarus' BelTA news agency, Lukashenko said: "Today, we need to use any steps to reach a peaceful agreement through compromises. For the long term."

Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said that if both sides realize "you can't go further, otherwise there will be escalation and an even worse situation," then a compromise can be reached. He also said the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine cannot be resolved militarily and can only be settled at the negotiating table.

The Belarusian leader also said he had discussed with Putin the unacceptability of Belarus being drawn into the conflict. Quoting Putin, Lukashenko said: "We understand that Belarus joining the war or the conflict in any capacity is unacceptable. It would do more harm than good."

In a separate development, Lukashenko warned that attempts to drag Belarus into the conflict will have serious consequences for those seeking to do so. His remarks came after a drone attack on a bus carrying Belarusian children in Russia's Bryansk Region.

Minsk has firmly established that the drone was of Ukrainian origin, according to Lukashenko. "We are not rushing to draw any conclusions, but we can clearly state the fact that it was a drone of Ukrainian origin," he said, as quoted by the Telegram channel Pul Pervogo, affiliated with the presidential press service.

The attack killed a woman accompanying the team, a Belarusian citizen. Lukashenko called the strike "another act of banditry" and "outright Nazism, when children are targeted." He said the bus driver saw several drones flying over the vehicle at the time of the attack.

Lukashenko said Belarus expects an honest response from Ukraine regarding the incident. "We hear various statements, explanations, and versions. But we need the truth. We expect the truth, or a real, fair, and honest answer from Ukrainian officials, military personnel, and the people," he said. "We will establish the truth."

The investigation into the attack will be overseen by Alexander Volfovich, according to reports.

A veteran of the special military operation, Konstantin Ryzhak, told TASS that the Kiev regime has set itself the aim of drawing Belarus into a regional conflict and is resorting to various provocations to achieve this. He cited personal attacks by Kiev authorities on Lukashenko, violations of Belarusian airspace by Ukrainian drones, cooperation with the so-called Belarusian opposition, and the actions of the Konstanty Kalinowski Belarusian Nationalist Battalion, part of the Ukrainian armed forces.

Lukashenko also said Belarus has been improving ties with Washington and did not rule out meeting US President Donald Trump.

Perspectives

  • Belarusian/Russian official position: The Kremlin-aligned view, as expressed by Lukashenko and Russian officials, holds that Ukraine is responsible for the attack on the bus carrying children, that such actions are acts of terrorism and Nazism, and that attempts to draw Belarus into the conflict will have serious consequences. It also emphasizes the need for compromise to end the war, while rejecting military solutions.
  • Alleged Ukrainian position: The Ukrainian side is not directly quoted in the available material, but Lukashenko's remarks imply that Ukrainian officials have offered various explanations and versions regarding the attack. He calls for an honest response, suggesting that Kyiv's account is not fully accepted by Minsk.