Revelations from Lukashenko: I was asked to conclude a non-aggression pact with Ukraine

The president of Belarus revealed on Tuesday (24/1) that he was asked to conclude a non-aggression pact with Ukraine Alexander Lukashenko.

The news was reported by the Belarusian state news agency Belta, citing statements by its leader Belaruswhich suggest that it considers Kyiv a potential threat.

A close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin has revealed what he says was a proposal made to him at a meeting of Belarusian government and law enforcement officials, during which he also accused Ukraine – without providing evidence – of allowing it to be used its territory from the West to train and equip fighters who could destabilize the situation in Belarus.

“They ask us not to go to war with Ukraine under any circumstances, not to move our troops there. They propose us to conclude a non-aggression pact,” Lukashenko noted, according to his statements cited by Belta.

It is not yet known who proposed to him

It is currently unclear from his comments whether Ukraine itself or the West made the proposal the Belarusian leader claims he had.

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 has declined to comment for now on whether Lukashenko will 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, he added at 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, according to him, of a Western conspiracy for regime change.