Lukashenko's invitation to Zelensky: Let's meet in Ukraine or Belarus to solve our problems

2026-05-22 16:58:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Lukashenko's invitation to Zelensky: Let's meet in Ukraine or Belarus

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he was ready to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, either in Ukraine or Belarus, after Kiev warned that Russia was preparing a new offensive through Belarusian territory towards the Ukrainian capital and the Chernihiv region.

"If Zelensky wants to discuss something, ask for advice or anything else, he can do it. We are open. I am ready to meet him anywhere, in Ukraine or Belarus, and discuss the problems of Belarusian-Ukrainian relations ," Lukashenko said, according to state media.

He also denied that his country planned to get involved in the war unless aggression against Belarusian territory was carried out.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kiev is ready to take preventive measures against Russia and the Belarusian leadership due to possible military threats in northern Ukraine, amid joint Russian-Belarusian nuclear exercises and drone incidents in the Baltic states.

"The Belarusian leadership must remain vigilant and understand that there will be consequences if aggressive measures are taken against Ukraine or our people ," Zelensky stressed during his visit to Slavutych, about 50 kilometers from the border with Belarus.

Kiev rejected the meeting proposal.

"Since 2022, it has been clear to everyone that this man's words mean nothing and we should be careful with his actions ," said Zelensky's adviser, Dmytro Lytvyn.

In 2022, Belarus also denied any involvement in the Russian invasion. However, Moscow used Belarusian territory to cross the Ukrainian border and move forces towards the northern regions and the capital Kiev in the first months of the invasion.

"We will not get involved in the war in Ukraine. There is no need, neither political nor military ," Lukashenko said this week, adding that there was only one case where Belarus could get involved, if aggression were carried out against its territory.

Kiev has strengthened fortifications on the northern border with Belarus and plans to further increase forces in northern Ukraine. Based on information from Ukrainian intelligence about "planned Russian offensive operations towards Chernigov and Kiev", the Ukrainian side is preparing to respond to any possible actions by Russia.

"We are also considering options for external action. We are working with the Foreign Ministry to prepare additional measures of diplomatic pressure on Belarus, which Russia could use to expand the war ," Zelensky said.

Earlier in April, Belarus accused Poland and the Baltic states of aggression, saying Minsk and Moscow would respond with all available means, including nuclear weapons. A month later, Belarus and Russia held joint nuclear exercises, with nuclear weapons stored in Belarus.

Moscow's intelligence services claimed that Ukraine was preparing drone strikes from the Baltic states, while Riga reportedly temporarily allowed these movements. The claims were dismissed by Latvia and Ukraine as a new disinformation campaign. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that such threats were unacceptable and Europe would respond with unity and force. /CNA