Lukashenko urges Russia and Ukraine to make compromises

Diplomatic background

The statements come at a time of growing diplomatic hope for a resumption of talks to end the Ukraine war. The background includes, among other things, a rapprochement between the USA and Iran in the Middle East conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had repeatedly expressed his willingness to meet directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent months.

Lukashenko is considered a close ally of Putin and is classified as a satellite state of Russia. Belarus allowed Russia to invade Ukraine from its territory in 2022 and continues to tolerate the stationing of Russian tactical nuclear weapons on its own soil. Observers also interpret Lukashenko's recent attempts at rapprochement as an effort to reduce his complete dependence on Moscow.

A look at Belarus and its role

Ukrainian President Zelensky had stated in May that Russia was trying to draw Belarus more strongly into the war. He expressed concern that attacks could be launched from Belarusian territory both against Ukraine and against NATO states. In addition, a Ukrainian drone commander had recently warned that around 500 potential targets in Belarus had been identified; Minsk had been warned against active participation in the war.

Analysts estimate that Lukashenko has been trying for years to avoid a direct entry into the war in order not to endanger his own regime. Experts from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace say they currently see no evidence of preparations for a new offensive from Belarusian territory. Lukashenko himself acknowledged in the interview that Belarus was "militärisch verwundbar".

Tensions and rapprochements

At the same time, Lukashenko referred to past tensions with Kyiv. According to media reports, he apologized to Zelensky for previous harsh statements. When asked about this, he said: "Vielleicht bin ich irgendwann zu weit gegangen." Back in 2024, Lukashenko had called for negotiations and seen a stalemate, since Russia would not withdraw from the eastern territories of Ukraine and from Crimea.

According to observers, there had been talks between Belarus and the USA in recent months regarding the release of political prisoners and a possible improvement in relations. While Ukraine has significantly expanded its drone attacks on Russian targets deep inside the Russian hinterland, calculations indicate that Russia had to accept territorial losses during the period from December to May 2026. The report on the interview was broadcast on 16 June 2026 on Deutschlandfunk.