Lukashenko shed light on contacts with Ukraine’s special services
In an interview with Ukrainian journalist Diana Panchenko, the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, spoke about the contacts of the Belarusian side with the special services of Ukraine, also revealing the topics touched upon at such talks, BelTA reports
"As for whether negotiations are underway or not, they are definitely being conducted. We have met with representatives of your authorities probably five times," Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.
"When did you meet last time?" the journalist asked.
"It was a few months ago, after the negotiations were held on behalf of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Defence Ministry. The topics concerned Belarus’ involvement in the war in the future, whether Belarus will fight or not on the side of Russia from the north. There were many other issues,” the President responded.
Aleksandr Lukashenko added that the Ukrainian side has recently been concerned about the potential use of nuclear weapons, the deployment of PMC Wagner in Belarus. “Such questions were accumulating, but we had contacts, and we talked. We are not against [a dialogue]. There are now proposals as well to continue this talk at a meeting in Istanbul or in the Emirates. I respond [to such proposals]: ‘Are you crazy? We border with you, so please come to Brest – wherever you want: to Gomel, Mozyr, Minsk, anywhere. We will organise a conversation with you. Why do you suggest we go somewhere, to Turkiye or to the Emirates? These are good countries, and we are not against them – but we can negotiate here," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
"Zelenskyy then noticed some kind of a threat to those who organised those talks (the so-called political competition) and forbade them to conduct that dialogue. We know that these negotiations are being conducted with Russians in Ukraine through special agencies, special services, including the military. The positions are articulated: of Russia to Ukraine, and of Ukraine to Russia. Ukrainians have contacts with us and with Russia. There is a basis for these negotiations – so let’s talk. Actually, your politicians will get to the point that not Putin, not Russia – but the military of Ukraine – will overthrow this political elite led by Zelenskyy. You will see. This is because the military sees the futility of what is happening there," the Head of State stressed.
