Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, has warned that the Kremlin “will never” accept the deployment of European troops in Ukraine, as Moscow and Kyiv continue to position themselves in ongoing U.S.-sponsored peace negotiations.
In an extensive interview with blogger Mario Nawfal, published late Tuesday, Lukashenko commended President Donald Trump’s direct approach to Russia’s war on Ukraine and indicated that Putin was prepared to negotiate peace.
However, any proposal that involves European forces in Ukraine is unlikely to gain Russia’s approval, Lukashenko stated.
“Russia will never agree to this,” he said. “At least, this is Russia’s position today. Especially since the leadership of the European Union, primarily in the person of Germany and France, is taking a very aggressive position at the moment.”
Peace Negotiations and Lukashenko’s Role
Despite criticism from both Trump and Putin regarding the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Lukashenko defended the Ukrainian leader and proposed Belarus as a venue for peace talks. Ceasefire discussions were previously attempted in Belarus in the immediate aftermath of Russia’s invasion in February 2022 but were unsuccessful.
“There is no need to push Zelenskyy now,” Lukashenko said, as quoted by the state-owned Belta news agency. “We need to convince and come to an agreement with Zelenskyy because a large part of Ukrainian society is behind Zelenskyy.”
“If you want, come. Here, it is nearby—200 kilometers from the Belarusian border to Kyiv,” Lukashenko added. “We will come to an agreement calmly, without noise, without shouting.”
“Tell Trump: I am waiting for him here together with Putin and Zelenskyy. We will sit down and come to an agreement calmly,” he said. “If you want to come to an agreement.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov welcomed the suggestion of holding talks in Minsk. “This issue has not been brought up or discussed in any way,” Peskov told reporters Wednesday, according to the state-run Tass news agency. “This is our main ally. Therefore, for us, it is the best place for negotiations.”
NATO and Russia’s Security Concerns
Moscow has long accused NATO of using Ukraine as a strategic platform to threaten Russia, with Putin citing NATO expansion following the Soviet Union’s collapse as a major grievance leading up to his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Lukashenko, however, downplayed NATO’s eastward expansion as the primary issue. “It is not so much about NATO expansion to the east, but about the threats that were created in Ukraine,” he said regarding Putin’s decision to launch the 2022 attack.
Lukashenko (Photo: AP)Meanwhile, Kyiv has framed its proposed U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal as a way to ensure long-term American support and potentially secure lasting U.S. security guarantees. Lukashenko suggested that the deal—now a central element of Trump’s Ukraine policy—could raise concerns for Moscow.
“I have not discussed these issues with Russia and Putin,” he said. “But, most likely, this could be alarming if Russia feels that these agreements will go beyond the framework of economic relations.”
Lukashenko’s Praise for Trump and Call for a U.S.-Russia Alliance
Throughout the interview, Lukashenko repeatedly addressed Trump directly, describing him as an “incredible person” and a political “bulldozer.”
He also encouraged the U.S. to forge closer ties with Russia—an idea that has unsettled European and Ukrainian leaders since Trump’s return to the White House. Trump’s decision this week to freeze all U.S. military aid to Ukraine has left officials in Kyiv and across Europe alarmed.
“The U.S. is the first country in the world, high-tech, rich,” Lukashenko said. “They are capable of many things. Russia understands this. And Russia will strive to establish very good relations with the United States of America.”
“In order for the planet to be in balance, so that there are no incomprehensible wars, like in the Middle East or in Ukraine, so that there are no conflicts, an alliance between Russia and the United States is possible and very important,” he added. “An alliance for economic development. It is possible and important. It will last a long time.”
Lukashenko’s Advice to Trump
While Lukashenko praised Trump’s leadership qualities, he also cautioned him against his unconventional political style, emphasizing the need to fulfill campaign promises.
“There are too many statements that should not have been made at all,” Lukashenko said. “You need to cool down after the elections. And you need to take steps in the interests of U.S. voters, first of all, and, secondly, the entire world community.”
“You don’t have much time to prove to American society that you are capable of something,” he continued. “If you don’t do this, the Republicans will suffer a crushing defeat in the next elections. And it will be justified.”