Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko recently shared his thoughts on the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
While he doesn’t expect the war to end in 2025, he does believe that a resolution could be closer than many think.
In his view, though the fighting might continue for some time, the situation will eventually lead to a resolution this year.
Lukashenko believes that “a light at the end of the tunnel” could emerge, offering hope for peace.
The Long Road to Resolution
Lukashenko doesn’t see an immediate end to the tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
He anticipates that the conflict could drag on for a while.
Despite this, he remains optimistic that a certain resolution is on the horizon.
According to him, the peace process will likely involve difficult negotiations and a focus on the broader interests at play, particularly Russia’s.
“It will probably take time, but eventually, a resolution will happen,” he said.
“There will be an opportunity for peace this year, but the road will be long.”
Belarus’s Commitment to Peace Talks
Throughout his comments, Lukashenko emphasized Belarus’s support for peaceful negotiations.
He underscored the importance of considering all factors in the negotiations, especially Russia’s position.
Lukashenko also made it clear that external influences, like the United States, would not dictate the terms of peace.
“No America will ever force Russia,” he stated, reinforcing Belarus’s stance on the matter.
Criticism of Zelensky’s Actions in 2022 Talks
Looking back at the 2022 negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, Lukashenko was critical of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s approach.
He described Zelensky as acting in a defiant manner, which included the Ukrainian delegation arriving late and even asking for the meeting venue to be changed.
Lukashenko pointed out that such actions were not helpful to the peace process.
Lukashenko on Putin’s Strategy
In a separate interview, Lukashenko shared his perspective on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s motivations.
He stressed that Putin was never aiming to conquer Ukraine, as some have suggested.
Instead, Lukashenko believes that, in Putin’s mind, any military moves are made with a long-term vision in mind, considering the consequences of every step.
“Conquest was never on the table,” Lukashenko remarked, noting that wise political leaders, like Putin, always think ahead before making a move.
A Brief Look at Lukashenko’s Background
Alexander Lukashenko has been the President of Belarus since 1994, making him the longest-serving leader in Europe.
Before entering politics, he worked as the director of a state farm and served in the Soviet Border Troops and Army.
His political career began in 1990 when he was elected to the Supreme Soviet of the Byelorussian SSR.
After the Soviet Union dissolved, Lukashenko became head of Belarus’s interim anti-corruption committee.
He won the presidency in 1994 following the adoption of Belarus’s new constitution.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn