Lukashenko: Belarus Won’t Be Dragged Into Ukraine War but Will Defend Itself If Attacked

Russia and Belarus held three days of drills to practice preparing and deploying nuclear forces amid what Moscow called threats of aggression.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visits a missile brigade of the Armed Forces during joint Russian-Belarusian nuclear exercises, in the Asipovichy district, Mogilev region, Belarus, on May 21, 2026. President of the Republic of Belarus/Handout via Reuters

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said his country won’t get pulled into the Ukraine war, but will jointly defend itself with Russia if attacked.

The president made the remarks in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent suggestions that Russian President Vladimir Putin will expand the war by planning offensive operations from Belarus.