Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, has warned that Russia will “never agree” to the deployment of European forces into Ukraine as part of peace negotiations. In an interview with blogger Mario Nawfal, Lukashenko praised US President Donald Trump’s approach to the conflict and suggested that Putin is ready to make peace.
Lukashenko stated that any proposal including European troops in Ukraine would be unlikely to win Russian support. He also expressed concerns over the EU’s aggressive stance on the issue, particularly from Germany and France. However, he offered Belarus as a location for peace negotiations, citing its proximity to Ukraine.
The Belarusian leader appeared to downplay Russia’s grievances regarding NATO expansion, instead focusing on the threats created in Ukraine. Lukashenko also suggested that the proposed US-Ukraine minerals deal could unsettle the Kremlin, potentially threatening economic relations.
Lukashenko repeatedly appealed to Trump, describing him as an “incredible person” and a political “bulldozer.” He encouraged the US to align closer with Russia, which has raised concerns among European and Ukrainian leaders. The Belarusian leader also chastised Trump for his statements, urging him to deliver on his promises and prove his capabilities before the next elections.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded positively to the offer of talks in Minsk, but noted that the issue had not been previously discussed.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/russia-agree-european-peacekeepers-ukraine-lukashenko/story?id=119466901