Lukashenko on flows of Ukrainian war objectors
In an interview with Rossiya TV channel, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko commented on flows of Ukrainians who are fleeing the war, BelTA reports
"Fighting against such an empire [Russia] in Ukraine, from where people are fleeing the war… Actually, they say it is a patriotic war, but why are they leaving the country, if this war is patriotic? They should fight in this case. For example, we lived through the [Great] Patriotic War together, and no one fled then," the Head of State noted.
Aleksandr Lukashenko drew attention to the fact that Ukrainians are now being seized in Poland and other countries friendly to Ukraine to be further sent to the front. “So where have they begun fleeing to? They cannot go to Russia, since they will need to go to the front. They are now coming to us,” the President said.
“Are you speaking of war objectors?” the interviewer clarified.
"Yes, these people are coming to us, they are going through our territory, and so on. The flows are great, and we grant citizenship to those who wish to stay with their children in Belarus. We feel pity for these people. In most cases, they are fleeing to the West, to Poland," Aleksandr Lukashenko added.
Answering a clarifying question whether he is talking of men of military age who cross the border, the President noted, “Yes, they account for almost 98 percent. These are men who are fleeing the war and who do not want to fight."
"Well, how is it possible for a country to fight against the empire if it has nobody to send to the front? We see what is happening in the theatre of war, and what is happening in Ukraine. Clearly, not all these people are such, and you even say this in your 60 Minutes [socio-political programme on Rossiya TV channel]. Not all of them [run away], there are also motivated people," the Belarusian leader stated.
