BBCThere aren’t many world leaders in power for over 30 years. Alexander Lukashenko, president of Belarus, has been accused of stealing election, crushing dissent, and dismantling democratic institutions. There’s another thing you should know: if anyone knows Vladimir Putin like the back of their hand, it’s Lukashenko. The two men are friends and meet regularly. Alexander Lukashenko was my guest at the Brics summit. I asked him about the claims that North Korea sent troops to fight with Russia in Ukraine. “Rubbish,” Lukashenko responded. Knowing his character, Putin would never attempt to persuade a country to include its army in Russia’s special operation in Ukraine.” “And if these reports are confirmed?” I inquired. Why? I ask him if Vladimir Putin ever asked Lukashenko for Belarussian troops to fight in the Kremlin war in Ukraine.”Never. He, [former Defense Minister] Sergei Shoigu or the current Defence Ministry Andrei Belousov have never raised this question. In February 2022, Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine began, in part, from Belarusian soil. Lukashenko asked me, “How do you know that I gave permission to use Belarusian land?” Belarusian terrain was used for the invasion ].”” There were exercises taking place involving several thousands of Russian soldiers. Putin began to withdraw these troops from southern Belarus along a road that borders Ukraine. “At one stage, he redirected a few of these troops towards Kiev. I’m certain they were provoked. Putin decides how to withdraw his troops. Or he could have gone through Minsk. Or he could’ve gone through Minsk.” “Didn’t you call Putin and ask what was happening?” I ask.”No. He didn’t even call me. These are his troops and he has the right to move them out whichever way he likes.” That comment reflects the degree of influence that the Kremlin has in neighbouring Belarus. This is his troops, and he can move them in any direction he wants.” That comment reflects the level of influence that the Kremlin holds in Belarus. Only if a single [foreign] soldier’s boot steps into Belarus. We have no plans of attacking anyone. Human rights groups estimate that there are currently 1,300 prisoners of conscience in Belarus. Alexander Lukashenko previously told me that there were none. But speaking to me today, he used the term “political prisoners” when speaking about the few freed in the last months. Some commentators interpreted the release as a message by Lukashenko that he wants better relations with the West. He denies that. “We freed political prisoner on humanitarian grounds,” says he. “They were mostly old people and sick.” This is not a step to improve relations with you. We don’t mind if you don’t want to have relations with us. We’ll get by without you.”Why Belarus is backing Russia against UkraineFamilies cling to hope in Belarus after first release of political prisonersSeoul wants N Korean troops to leave Russia immediatelyEuropeWar in UkraineBelarusAlexander Lukashenko
Read More @ www.bbc.com