Belarus reasserts its support for Putin's war - Dispatch Weekly
February 17, 2023 - Reading time: 2 minutes
Alexander Lukashenko knows Putin better than most.
Belarus’ autocratic government is a Kremlin friend and supports Mr. Putin’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, which most of the world regards as Russia’s war.
On Thursday, Mr. Lukashenko met with local media and was asked whether he would allow Belarus to be used as a staging area for Russia’s invasion.
“I’m ready. I’ll provide territory again. I’ll fight alongside Russia from Belarus,” he told assembled reporters.
Joint drills and a military grouping have increased Russia-Belarus military cooperation. However, the Belarusian commander has not sent his troops into Ukraine to battle with Russia.
The UK, EU and US don’t recognise Alexander Lukashenko as Belarus’s president. Belarusians marched in 2020 to accuse him of stealing the presidential election. Protests were violently suppressed.
Mr. Lukashenko blamed the West for Ukraine’s war on Thursday.
He accused Western governments of fuelling the war and utilised Putinesque nuclear sabre-rattling techniques.
“You will obtain nuclear weapons but Russia has more,” he added.
“The West needs to stop what it’s doing. Belarus will vanish in a nuclear war. Nuclear war will destroy the US, so we must negotiate. It’s unnecessary.”
The Belarusian leader says he can negotiate peace after helping Russia invade Ukraine a year ago.
Mr. Lukashenko recommended starting next week, when US President Joe Biden is due to visit Poland.
Mr. Lukashenko invited President Biden. “He’ll reach Minsk in 30 minutes from Warsaw. His jet may land here. I’ll invite Russia’s president. I invite him and Biden to Minsk. We’ll negotiate.”
The US president is unlikely to accept the invitation. Lukashenko is not trusted in this battle by Western governments.
DW Staff
David Lintott is the Editor-in-Chief, leading our team of talented freelance journalists. He specializes in covering culture, sport, and society. Originally from the decaying seaside town of Eastbourne, he attributes his insightful world-weariness to his roots in this unique setting.
You may also like
Liberty University Faces $14 Million Fine Over Unreported Campus Crimes and Mishandling of Sexual Assault Cases
Liberty University has agreed to pay an unprecedented $14 million fine for its failure to disclose information about crimes on its campus and for its treatment of sexual assault survivors, the U.S.
18-Year-Old Girl Held Captive at Religious Boarding School for a Month, Investigation Ongoing
The husband and wife owners of a Missouri boarding school for boys have been jailed and charged with felony crimes after a lengthy investigation by a county sheriff.
Exonerated After 30 years: Daniel Gwynn's Wrongful Conviction in a Philadelphia Arson Case
A Philadelphia man who was convicted and sentenced to death in connection with the 1994 arson murder of a woman is now exonerated 30 years later, the District Attorney's Office announced.
15-Year-Old Sues Walmart Over $4.98 Banana Price Hike
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against the proposed $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons by Kroger, stating that the combination of these two major grocers would result in higher prices for consumers and reduced wages for employees.
Potential $1 Billion Lawsuit Looms for PacifiCorp Over Wildfire Costs in Oregon and California
The U.S. government is considering legal action against PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway owned by Warren Buffett, to recover almost $1 billion in expenses related to the 2020 wildfires in southern Oregon and northern California.