Lukashenko says he will not send Belarusian troops to fight in Ukraine but there is a catch

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has said that Belarusians are a peaceful people who do not want war but have no intention of bowing "to the enemy".

Source: Lukashenko, speaking at a ceremony honouring graduates of higher military educational institutions and senior military officers, as quoted by the Belarusian state news agency BELTA

Quote: "The Belarusian people endured unimaginable hardship during the years of the Nazi occupation and, at a genetic level, reject war. We are peaceful people, we do not want to fight, but neither do we intend to bow our heads before the enemy."

Details: Lukashenko also claimed that an international "party of war" is doing everything possible to prolong the armed conflict in Ukraine.

"Hypocritically declaring its commitment to peace, the European Union has openly embarked on a path of militarisation – which is effectively NATO. Billions are being spent on offensive weapons, while an absurd hysteria is being whipped up over an imaginary 'threat from the east'," he said.

Addressing Belarusian servicemen, Lukashenko also insisted that they would not be sent to fight in Ukraine.

"Our alliance with Russia goes hand in hand with our commitment to a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. I want to emphasise once again, comrades: no one will send you into this bloodshed. We do not need war. It is terrible that the war in Ukraine continues. We support a peaceful resolution, but, as I have already said, the international 'party of war' does not want that," he added.

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