Alexander Lukashenko is allowing Putin's Russian forces to use Belarusian land but denies involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Shannon Longworth Reporter

Alexander Lukashenko demanding seat at the table with Putin, Zelenskyy

Apr 18, 2022

Shannon Longworth Reporter

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has allowed Russian troops to stage in his country while confirming to international press that he is “on friendly terms” with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Lukashenko also insisted Belarus must be included in any negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, according to Belarusian state news outlet Belta.

“There can be no separate agreements behind Belarus’s back,” Lukashenko reportedly said.

However, Lukashenko contradicted claims that Belarus is engaging in the conflict. While addressing his security officials, he used the word “war” in reference to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin has banned the use of that term in this context.

SHANNON LONGWORTH: IF RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN IS PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE IN UKRAINE, THEN THIS DICTATOR IS A CLOSE SECOND.

BELARUS PRESIDENT ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO. JUST ONE NAME TO KNOW TODAY.

AS RUSSIA’S FRIENDLY NEIGHBOR TO THE WEST, LUKASHENKO IS BOLDLY BACKING PUTIN.

ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO: WE ARE TAKING PART IN THIS OPERATION.

LONGWORTH: HE’S LETTING RUSSIAN TROOPS BASE THEMSELVES IN BELARUS AS THEY ATTACK UKRAINE…

AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE REPORTS THAT RUSSIA IS FIRING MISSILES FROM BELARUS INTO UKRAINE.

IN RESPONSE, THE US SLAPPED SANCTIONS ON LUKASHENKO, WHO’S RULED BELARUS WITH AN IRON FIST FOR THE PAST 26YEARS.

JOHN OLIVER: HE’S DESCRIBED HIMSELF AS THE LAST AND ONLY DICTATOR IN YOUR WHICH IS IN ITSELF.

WHILE IT LOOKED LIKE LUKASHENKO WAS DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED…

CNN: HE WAS SOMEWHERE ABOVE OR BELOW 80 PERCENT.”

LONGWORTH: HE’S ACCUSED OF RIGGING THE ELECTION, INCITING NATIONWIDE PROTESTS.

AFTER LUKASHENKO TOOK POWER, BELARUS WENT BACK IN TIME.

IN 2021, HE FORCED A COMMERCIAL FLIGHT TO LAND IN BELARUS IN ORDER TO ARREST A DISSIDENT JOURNALIST.

IGRIDA SIMONY: A CIVILIAN PLANE PLANE AND ITS PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN HIJACKED BY MILITARY FORCE, AND BELARUSIAN CITIZEN HAS BEEN ABDUCTED.

LONGWORTH: THE E-U SLAPPED SANCTIONS ON BELARUS, AND LUKASHENKO CLOSED HIS BORDER TO A WAR-TORN REFUGEES BECAUSE–GET THIS—HE SAID HIS COUNTRY COULDN’T AFFORD TO CARE FOR MIGRANTS BECAUSE OF THE SANCTIONS.

THE STANDOFF LED TO A WEEKS-LONG HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AND MORE THAN A DOZEN DEATHS..

BUT THAT PALES IN COMPARISON TO THE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION IN UKRAINE, LEAVING MORE INNOCENT BLOOD ON THE HANDS OF ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO–THE ONE NAME YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY.