Ukraine War: Zelensky Reveals Strange Conversation with Belarus‘ Lukashenko
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has offered a rare glimpse into a peculiar conversation he had with Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko at the outset of the war with Russia. In an interview with American podcaster Lex Friedman, Zelensky recounted the surreal exchange that took place within the first few days of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Lukashenko, who has been widely condemned for allowing Russia to use Belarusian territory for military operations, called Zelensky to express his regrets, according to the Ukrainian leader. "He told me, ‘Volodya, it’s not me, it’s Putin. I have no control over the Russian rockets being launched into Ukraine from here,’" Zelensky recalls Lukashenko saying.
Zelensky responded by labeling Lukashenko as complicit, inviting him to explain how he could let this happen on his watch. Rather than taking responsibility, Lukashenko doubled down on his alliance with Russia, stating, "You can’t fight the Russians." Then, in an unexpected turn, he suggested Ukraine should strike a vital target in Belarus—its Mозырский НПЗ, or Mозырский oil refinery.
"Blow up the oil refinery," Lukashenko reportedly said. "You know how much it means to me."
This isn’t the first time Zelensky has spoken about his wish for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Earlier, he told Friedman that Ukraine would agree to a ceasefire if its Western allies provided weaponry to deter future Russian aggression. He also stressed that direct talks with Russia are only possible once robust security guarantees are on the table from the U.S. and Europe.
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