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Lukashenko apologises to Zelenskyy for harsh remarks, rules out Belarus joining Ukraine war

Alexander Lukashenko apologised to Volodymyr Zelenskyy for harsh remarks made in late May, emphasised that Belarus is not participating in the war against Ukraine and has no plans to attack, and noted that both the Ukraine and Middle East conflicts require non-military solutions.




Quick Facts
Who
Alexander Lukashenko
What
apologised
When
late May 2026
Where
Belarus
- apologised
- interview with Al Arabiya English
- ruled out involvement in Ukraine war
- acknowledged vulnerability of Belarus
- Alexander Lukashenko
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has apologised to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his recent harsh comments, while reiterating that Belarus has not entered the war against Ukraine and has no plans to attack Kyiv. In an interview with Al Arabiya English, Lukashenko stated that the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East "have no military solution." He stressed that involving Belarus in the conflict would make the country "very vulnerable militarily," warning that key infrastructure and logistics sites could be targeted. Lukashenko claimed that Russia warned Minsk against joining the war, saying it would bring "more harm than good." The apology came after remarks in late May when Lukashenko suggested Zelenskyy was under the influence of drugs, a comment made in response to Zelenskyy's threat to strike Belarusian targets if Belarus joined the war. "Maybe I overdid it, but it was a response to his absurd statements," Lukashenko said. "If Vladimir Alexandrovich is offended, I apologise to him for those words. Maybe I shouldn't have, considering that he is fighting. Maybe I didn't have to speak so harshly." A representative of Zelenskyy confirmed to the BBC that the Ukrainian president has heard the apology. Meanwhile, Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said the shift from calls for Ukraine to surrender to an apology "is an indicator of Ukraine's strength," but added that "stage-managed apologies" do not change the fact that official Minsk is complicit in Russian aggression against Ukraine.
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Why This Matters
This development signals a potential de-escalation in Belarus-Ukraine tensions, which could reduce the risk of a broader regional conflict. For investors and analysts monitoring Eastern Europe, it suggests Belarus may remain a non-combatant, preserving stability in supply chains and energy routes that pass through or near Belarus. However, the apology does not reverse Belarus's complicity in enabling Russian military operations, so vigilance remains warranted.
Timeline & Sources
May 31, 2026
WireLukashenko made harsh remarks suggesting Zelenskyy was under the influence of drugs
Jun 16, 2026
WireLukashenko gave interview to Al Arabiya English apologising to Zelenskyy and ruling out Belarus joining Ukraine war