The head of state was asked to comment on accusations from Kiev regarding alleged Russian plans to launch a new offensive against Ukraine from Belarusian territory. When asked about whether this topic had been discussed with the Russian leader, Aleksandr Lukashenko assured that the conversation had taken a completely different tone.

«We have said many times that it is absolutely unacceptable for the war between Ukraine and Russia to spill over onto the territory of Belarus for various reasons,» the president said. «Putin and I discussed this issue given that it has persistently lingered in the media. And I tell you sincerely, I can tell you verbatim what the Russian president told me. Yes, he says, we understand that Belarus’ entry into the war, into the conflict, in any capacity, is unacceptable. It would do more harm than good. That is the honest answer to this question.»

In the interview, the leader went into great detail and spoke very frankly about this position.

«First, Belarus is highly vulnerable militarily should Ukraine begin attacking Belarus in the same manner it attacks Russia (we recognize this reality, so we have no desire to engage in war). Belarus is laid out like an open palm before the Ukrainian military. We are fully aware that our critical life-support systems, production facilities, and logistics hubs would come under attack. They have stated, they have already identified 500 such targets on the territory of Belarus.,» Aleksandr Lukashenko said,

Second reason, the head of state continued, is that the Belarusian people hate wars: «We have already suffered enough throughout our history; we understand that many of our military personnel would die. For what? Why should they die?» 

Third reason: if Belarus joined the war, the front line would be extended significantly. «If Russia were to attack Kiev from Belarusian territory, the front line primarily for Russia (and naturally for us) would be extended by 1,500 km along the Belarusian-Ukrainian border,» Aleksandr Lukashenko said. «We and the Russians would be unable to defend this sector,»

The president noted that if events unfold in this way, the NATO countries supporting Ukraine could send their troops there. «And this war would take on a new dimension. It would become a war of Belarus and Russia against NATO. Although I do not rule out that this could happen even without that,» he said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that there are other reasons as well, including humanitarian ones. These stem from the deeply interwoven family connections between people living on either side of the Belarus-Ukraine border.

«Yesterday I received an intelligence briefing regarding the prevailing sentiments on both sides of the Ukrainian border and those within Belarus. Everything is deeply interwoven. Families of Belarusian descent reside in Ukraine. Conversely, here in southern Belarus, we have families of Ukrainian descent. There are blended families — people married, raised children, lived ordinary lives in the absence of any border,» the head of state said, «Ukrainians would cross freely into our territory. Belarusians would travel unhindered into Ukraine. I used to travel to Ukraine back in the day. Even my own roots, my ancestors’ graves are somewhere from between Chernigov and Kiev. Are we supposed to cast it all aside, forget it, and start a war? No.»