The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, stated that the dictatorship in his country is “preferable to democracy in Ukraine.” He made this statement during a Christmas service in the city of Logoysk.
Lukashenko’s statement comes against the backdrop of reports that he had apologized to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky had previously mentioned that Lukashenko had apologized in the early days of the war. This was due to the Russian army launching missiles from Belarusian territory.
“Several days after the first day of the war, I spoke with Lukashenko on the phone, and he apologized. ‘It wasn’t me, missiles were launched from my territory, and Putin launched them. Trust me, Volodymyr, it wasn’t me. I don’t control it, these are just missiles, it’s Putin…’” Zelensky recalled Lukashenko’s words.
According to the Ukrainian leader, Lukashenko had suggested delivering a retaliatory strike on the largest Mozyr oil refinery in Gomel region.
Belarus denies Lukashenko apologized
Lukashenko’s press secretary, Natalya Eysmont, stated that the apology from the Belarusian president was never made.
“For a simple reason, we do not need to apologize. First of all, it is worth remembering that Ukraine was the first to impose sanctions on Belarus, even ahead of America and the entire West,” she said. According to Eysmont, the conversation between Zelensky and Lukashenko did indeed take place, with the Belarusian leader saying, “First of all, the conflict took place on Ukrainian territory, in Zelensky’s territory, and over time, more responsibility for the deaths of people will fall on others than on me,” she said.
It was then emphasized that the 3rd round of negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow took place in Belarus, and later the talks continued in Istanbul.
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