Lukashenko: Belarusian involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine would be “a gift to the West”

Iryna Balachuk — Friday, 4 March 2022, 12:13

Self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has stated that the Belarusian army did not participate in Russia’s war in Ukraine and has no plans to do so, because if Belarus did intervene, it would be a gift to the West.

Source: Pul-pershogo – Lukashenko-controlled Telegram channel

Quote: "The Belarusian army has not taken part in the special operation and does not intend to do so."

Details: According to Lukashenko, Belarus is protecting its state border from Brest to Mozyr on its own.

He said: "The hybrid war that has been waged against Belarus, especially the sanctions war in the economic and finance [sectors], has been going on for a long time. They have an iron grip on us. You will understand. They are pushing us into the war in Ukraine. If we intervened now in this conflict, where we are not expected, it would be a gift to them. "

Background:

On 1 March, self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, standing in front of a map of Ukraine, justified Russia's invasion of the country and gave assurances that Belarus is not a party to the war.

He also said that Belarus had no plans to take part in Russia's war against Ukraine.

Ukrainian intelligence warned that Russia and Belarus could resort to provocations to justify the invasion of Belarusian troops into Ukraine.

According to reports, about 300 Belarusian tanks appeared near the Belarusian-Ukrainian border. The convoy had not yet crossed the border and was waiting on the Pinsk–Ivanovo–Drahichyn road (approximately 30 kilometres from the border). At the same time, Ukraine’s "North" operational command reported on 1 March that Belarusian troops had been observed in the Chernihiv Region for three days.

On 24 February, Russia invaded Ukraine from multiple directions, including from Belarus territory. Furthermore, missile attacks on Ukrainian territory are being launched from Belarus. Ukraine is not striking back in response.