Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko did not apologize to President Volodymyr Zelensky for Belarus’s involvement in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This is according to his spokesperson, Natalia Eismont.
Eismont made the claim on January 6 after Zelensky said that Lukashenko had apologized to him earlier. The apology was supposedly made shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. However, Eismont said there was no need for an apology because Belarus did nothing wrong.
Lukashenko and Zelensky reportedly spoke on the phone due to a family matter. Lukashenko’s son had gotten President Zelensky’s number somehow. During their call, Lukashenko allegedly told Zelensky that he would be responsible for people’s deaths if he didn’t negotiate with Russia.
The two leaders also discussed an attack on Belarus by Ukraine. According to Eismont, Lukashenko suggested that Kyiv should strike the Mozyr oil refinery in Belarus. However, she did not comment on Zelensky’s claims about this conversation.
Belarus has not directly taken part in the war but has allowed Russia to use its territory for military operations against Ukraine. The country is also reportedly hosting Russian tactical nuclear arms.
A recent report by the Belarusian Investigative Center revealed that Russian troops had run a torture chamber in the town of Naroulia during the spring of 2022. This was used to hold Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians abducted from Ukraine.