MINSK, 24 February (BelTA) - The military leadership of Ukraine was warned about a possibility of military action, but took no steps to prevent it, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at an operational meeting with the military in Minsk on 24 February, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that the military leadership of Ukraine had held talks with their Belarusian counterparts twice. The last conversation was held after the meeting of the presidents of Belarus and Russia in Moscow. The Ukrainian side was notified of the details of the talks between the two heads of state.
“Just before the start of the operation, he [a representative of the military leadership of Ukraine] requested a call. I suggested you talk to him. You told him, on my instruction, that following the meeting with President Putin, the Belarusian president would recommend you to contact the defense minister and the Russian General Staff immediately. Did he call them? No, he didn't. He, knowing that a conflict could break out, did not even bother to call Moscow. Listen, there were cases in history when Khrushchev called Kennedy at night and they averted a thermonuclear war. Yet, he did not bother to pick up a phone and give a call. Scoundrel!" Aleksandr Lukashenko said.