MINSK, 8 August (BelTA) - If negotiations are conducted reasonably, Russia will never fight Ukraine again, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said in an interview to TIME Magazine, BelTA has learned.
The journalist asked the Belarusian leader about his vision for the demarcation line between Ukraine and Russia. According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, that depends on what is agreed. “Parties can agree to have a demilitarized (or actually, more accurately, militarized) zone on both sides - one, two, maybe five kilometers wide. It’s horrifying,” the president said.
“It is horrifying. A huge dead zone,” the journalist noted.
“Yes, a dead zone. I hope it won’t come to that. It should be a regular border. Yes, with enhanced security on both sides. But this zone could still be functional. We have them today and we had border zones in Soviet times too. Entry was prohibited. Or allowed only with special passes and permits. But people lived there,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “It all depends on agreements. Then life will adjust. And eventually, borders might disappear.”
The Belarusian president expressed confidence that Vladimir Putin would agree faster than Zelensky to settle things for people living in the border zone: “He is stronger, more decisive.”
The head of state added that if Zelensky had listened to him when they spoke, Ukraine would not have lost its lands.
“If negotiations are conducted reasonably, with Russia making concessions to Ukraine, and Ukraine to Russia (these terms must be defined), Russia will never fight Ukraine again. Never,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
He also commented on the allegations about Russia getting ready for war with NATO, for an attack on the Baltics and Poland. “It is utter nonsense. Believe me, it’s not happening. I know this for certain. Putin and Russia’s military-political leadership have no intention of fighting NATO. First of all, it would be a silly thing to do. Not in the foreseeable future, at least. Unless you provoke some foolishness… We have everything we need right here,” the president stressed.
The head of state did not rule out, however, that the situation could shift so drastically that the border might end up at the Dnieper River, with Kiev being on Russia's side. “That’s the real fear - losing all of Ukraine. It could be carved up. Hungary takes a slice, Poland is already rubbing its hands to grab Western Ukraine. What’s left? A sliver of land,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.
“Russia will not face defeat. Defeat would cost all of us dearly - you first and foremost, including people across the ocean. That's why this nuclear country ranks first in nuclear stockpiles. There will be no defeat. None! But Ukraine could suffer defeat. We must not allow this. Let's reach an agreement now,” the Belarusian leader urged.
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