Belarus President Lukashenko Calls for Compromise in Russia-Ukraine War

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, one of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin’s closest allies, said in an interview published on Monday that Russia and Ukraine must compromise to end the war that has raged for more than four years with no end in sight.

Lukashenko, whose ex-Soviet state has been improving ties with Washington, also said that ‌he would not rule out meeting US President Donald Trump.

Lukashenko told Al Arabiya television that it was clear that victory on the battlefield was unrealistic for both sides in the Russia-Ukraine war, though he said Russian forces were still advancing.

“Today, we need to use any steps to reach a peaceful agreement through compromises. For the long term,” he said in the interview, which was republished by Belarus’ Belta news agency.

“If they realise on both sides … you can’t go further, otherwise there will be escalation and ⁠an even worse situation … If this sinks into the minds of the fighters and their supporters, it means a compromise can be ‌reached.”

Belarus allowed Russia to use its territory for the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine and has allowed Moscow to deploy nuclear weapons on its soil.