US has interest in prolonging Ukraine war: Lukashenko
3 Min Read
Lukashenko reiterates to a Ukrainian journalist that Belarus will "always" be in support of Russia, even if it does not directly participate in the war in Ukraine.
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Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko during an AP interview in Minsk, Belarus, on May 5, 2022 (AP)
According to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, the US wants to prolong the crisis in Ukraine in order to boost Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's sense of self-importance.
The President also remarked that it was still not too late to end the war, explaining that it could have been avoided from the onset.
"It is necessary and possible [to stop the conflict]. At any moment. And now it can be stopped, and back then it could have been avoided."
During an interview with Ukrainian reporter Diana Panchenko, Lukashenko expressed that the US was interested in prolonging the conflict to "feed" Zelensky's ego.
He emphasized that Belarus will "always help Russia," even if it does not directly participate in the war.
He warned, however, that unless Ukraine crosses into the Belarusian border, Minsk will not join the war on Ukrainian territory.
The President also denied that Russia is attempting to persuade Minsk into joining the war, blatantly calling out Ukrainian hypocrisy.
"Fifty-five countries are helping you [Ukraine], but only Belarus helps Russia openly," Lukashenko responded.
Ukraine reinforces defenses on border with Belarus: Reports
Ukrainian media outlets reported Saturday that the Ukrainian army is reinforcing its defenses in the Rivne Region, which borders Belarus that involves developing a second line of defenses.
The military is filling the area with traps that target infantry and vehicles, as well as planting minefields near the Rivne nuclear power plant. The Ukrainian Channel 5 broadcaster said there is currently no visible threat coming from Belarus, however, the army is working to increase defenses to be ready for any development.
During a meeting of the board of the military department on Wednesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the West has deployed about 360,000 military personnel and 8,000 armored vehicles along the borders of the Union State of Russia and Belarus.
"Taking into account the armed forces of the Eastern European countries, about 360,000 military personnel, 8,000 armored vehicles, 6,000 artillery systems and mortars, 650 aircraft, and helicopters are deployed in the immediate vicinity of the borders of the Union State," Shoigu said.
This comes after Poland transferred 2,000 troops to its border with Belarus citing concerns regarding the increased presence of former Wagner PMC contractors in Minsk.
Read more: Ukraine, Poland discuss Wagner 'threats' amid Belarus presence
So far, there has been no indication that Belarus will join in on the Special Military Operation in Ukraine as its President, Alexander Lukashenko, previously announced in November 2022 that his country has no plans to send Belarusian troops into Ukraine.
However, it was announced by the Belarusian Ministry of Defence, on July 11, that Wagner PMC will take part in the training of the Belarusian armed forces, which has alarmed Polish and Ukrainian officials.
