Meeting with Belarusian journalists after interview with China Media Group

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko talked to Belarusian journalists after the interview with China Media Group.

The President was asked for his assessment of the U.S.-Russia negotiations in Alaska and whether he agreed with the view that Trump emerged as the loser.

Aleksandr Lukashenko dismissed this view. “I categorically reject the conclusions drawn by journalists and some ‘experts’ on this matter – specifically, that Putin gained more than Trump, or that, to put it crudely, ‘Putin slammed Trump’s face into the table’ and Trump lost. Those who lack an understanding of basic diplomacy should refrain from making assessments. These are two different individuals operating from entirely different positions,” Aleksandr Lukashenko explained.

“What did Trump lose to Putin? They had entirely different roles,” he stated. He explained that while Vladimir Putin represented one side of the conflict, Donald Trump acted as a mediator seeking to understand Russia’s position –a role he performed excellently. “America is not waging war against Russia, nor is it a party to the conflict, even though it supplies weapons. Donald Trump and the U.S. are acting as mediators. To gain a deeper understanding of the conflict and Russia’s stance, Trump invited Putin to Alaska – a move for which he should be thanked,” the head of state said.

He noted that many venues for a possible leaders’ summit were considered. “The invitation to Alaska was somewhat exotic, but strategic. Putin called me beforehand and mentioned that venues like Rome, Geneva, Türkiye, and the Emirates were considered. I noted that it might seem odd for Orthodox Christians to meet in Rome. He agreed, and after rejecting those options, they decided to wait for an American proposal,” the Belarusian leader said.

“Why blame Trump for not achieving tangible results?” Aleksandr Lukashenko asked rhetorically. Vladimir Putin could have disclosed specifics yet abstained, demonstrating a diplomatic posture consistent with his characteristic conduct.

The President of Belarus admitted to being surprised by Donald Trump’s diplomatic restraint. Contrary to the expectation that Donald Trump would offer details and cover all points as usual, he was notably succinct. “It was a smart move. His [post-talk] speech was only four minutes long,” stated Aleksandr Lukashenko, who described Trump’s role as a mediator as perfect. He clarified that his praise was not a consequence of their phone conversation but a genuine appraisal: “He executed his role magnificently, defying all expectations. Even I, who anticipated a detailed breakdown, was impressed by his adept handling of the situation.”

“He acted as a mediator. His role was to understand Russia’s position and objectives in this conflict, which he accomplished. However, he deliberately refrained from making public statements on that, as he is not a party to the conflict. The specifics are for the actual parties, Presidents Putin and Zelensky, to discuss,” the Belarusian leader remarked.

However, a leak later surfaced in U.S. media suggesting that a Russia-Ukraine land swap had been discussed. As Aleksandr Lukashenko revealed, this leak was addressed in a conversation with the Russian President: “I told him not to worry about it – the topic will be discussed eventually anyway.”

The head of state emphasized the summit’s critical importance, noting: “These are the two countries on which life on our planet depends today. God forbid their nuclear arsenals, and ours, are ever unleashed; the planet would be thrown into chaos. This meeting was good, and criticism of either President is misguided given their roles.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko believes that the outcomes of the Alaska talks were meaningful, as Russia’s position on the conflict settlement and the overall situation on the front became clearer for Trump.

“Regardless of one’s perspective, Russia’s position on the peace deal is more critical than Ukraine’s. The reason is simple: Russia holds overwhelming dominance on the battlefield. A dire situation has emerged for Ukraine near Pokrovsk, the main focal point, which is Donetsk Oblast,” stated Aleksandr Lukashenko.

He explained that Ukraine diverted its most capable units from this critical sector to the northern front near Sumy and Kharkov, where Russian forces had made incursions and needed to be contained. This weakened the primary direction in Donbass, leading to the inevitable: Russian advances across the entire front.

“Yes, they are advancing gradually. President Putin and I have discussed this. He stated that while they could advance faster, it would result in greater losses. They are prioritizing the preservation of their military personnel. Yet, they are pressing forward consistently: half a kilometer, a kilometer each day, liberating new villages daily,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The Belarusian leader stated that the current situation is critically dangerous for Ukraine, emphasizing: “Ukraine must stop immediately and seek a peace agreement to avoid its complete collapse.”

He believes that Donald Trump deserves credit for assuming the role of mediator and striving to end the conflict, even if he may now regret engaging in an effort that turned out to be harder than anticipated. “I warned the Americans verbatim during their visit long before these negotiations: tell Trump that he cannot retreat. He has taken on this challenge, must see it through, and possesses the capacity to resolve it, which he is actively attempting to do,” the President remarked.

Following his negotiations with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump convened a meeting in Washington with European Union leaders and Vladimir Zelensky to update them on the progress in the peace process. “The Europeans are now eager to participate, insisting that ‘nothing can be achieved without us’,” noted Aleksandr Lukashenko.

In this context, the President recalled the February 2015 Normandy Format negotiations in Minsk, which were initiated by major European powers and involved the leaders of Germany and France in efforts to resolve the crisis in Ukraine. “Who prevented them from establishing a lasting peace? They later admitted it themselves: their goal was not to make peace, but to give Ukraine time to rearm. So why are they offended that Trump isn’t inviting them now? What purpose do they serve? They already had their chance. America initially stayed out of the process, despite my warnings: I told them that there would be no peace without America and that they need it. They left it out. They decided to establish peace on their own, they failed, and they did it deliberately. They deceived Russia. That’s why Trump is absolutely right to take charge unilaterally and push for a peace deal. I believe his efforts are sincere.”

Still, Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested that the U.S. may benefit from European leaders playing the role of hawks in public. This allows Trump to demonstrate to Vladimir Putin and others the challenges he faces: not only is he working toward peace and reconciling Ukrainian and Russian positions, but he is also overcoming European resistance.”

Looking ahead, much will depend on Ukraine’s next steps and its acceptance of the reality on the ground. While everyone desires a swift peace, it will take time. As a first step, the Belarusian leader concluded, at least a ceasefire – on the ground and in the air – must be achieved.”

According to the President, negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are “virtually on the table”, as diplomats say. “But you hear the statements. Putin says: ‘Yes, we agree, we stated long ago what we want’. Vladimir Zelensky has one thing to say today, another tomorrow and so on, just like Donald Trump: he makes contradictory statements. Russians see this and wonder whether President Zelensky is ready for negotiations or not. They believe he is not ready,” he remarked.

However, one should not focus solely on the public statements of the Ukrainian side, Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced. They could be what is called a “smoke screen”, behind which lies the real, behind-the-scenes, closed part of the process. In particular, there is information that Zelensky is ready for a territorial swap. The United States also holds the view that Ukraine must take this step, otherwise it may cease to exist. Without the U.S. funding and weapons, continuing the confrontation is impossible.

Journalists asked the President whether the Belarusian side would be willing to host the negotiations between Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky if they do take place. Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that he is not driven by this idea to host them in Minsk by any means, although it would be an ideal location for them. However, if the Russian and Ukrainian sides agree and decide to come here, Belarus will organize everything at the proper level even as early as tomorrow. “If they want it, if they agree... This is an ideal location for Ukraine and Russia. As for Donald, he doesn’t care where to fly to, Europe or Alaska. It’s still eight or nine hours either way," the head of state remarked.

However, Vladimir Zelensky previously called Minsk an allegedly unacceptable venue because, at the time, following the meeting of the Normandy Format in 2015, they failed to establish a lasting peace. “They have some kind of phobia regarding Minsk, especially Vladimir Zelensky,” the President noted. He pointed out that European politicians later admitted themselves that they had come to Minsk not to establish peace, but to buy Ukraine time to rearm. Therefore, there is no reason now to blame the Belarusian side.

“I do not suffer from that disease -the need to 'show off' or 'this is very important for my image.' Yes, it is important. Perhaps we will survive and manage without it. I truly am not obsessed with this idea: 'come to Minsk' and so on. If they decide to come, we can organize it as early as tomorrow,” the President emphasized. “I once said: it is not important where: either the Moon, on Mars, wherever. What is important is that they get together and make a decision.”

The Belarusian leader shared his insights on the development of the situation in Ukraine with Donald Trump. First and foremost, he stated, the discussion could focus on establishing an aerial ceasefire and a cessation of hostilities along the line of contact. “That is, missiles and drones would stop flying in both directions. This is very important. For Russia as well. You can see there is nothing good about attacks on airfields, explosions at oil depots inside Russia and strikes on residential neighborhoods and factories. There is nothing good for Russia in this. Putin understands this just as well as I do. So Russia does not need this. Let alone Ukraine. After they hit a major plant with the Oreshnik, a plant with 8-10 underground floors where they [Ukrainians] could produce something, the Ukrainians realized they are in trouble. Russians could just as well strike Bankovaya Street [a street in central Kiev where many administrative buildings are located],” the head of state noted.

He emphasized that the Russian side had the opportunity to significantly escalate the conflict by using its new weapon, the Oreshnik missile system, against targets more sensitive to the Kiev regime, but did not because Russia would prefer a peaceful settlement. Vladimir Putin, whom the West calls an aggressor, at the very beginning of the conflict when Russian troops were near Kiev, refused to strike civilian targets and withdrew the troops.

“Here is some insider information for you. Some people in Russia had such plans (I would not name them). Putin said: ‘Under no circumstances.’ They were ready to strike... If they had hit the so-called decision-making centers with the Oreshnik, nothing would have been left there,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The head of state emphasized that several steps are necessary to achieve peace, but the most important thing now is to stop hostilities and the loss of life. That is, the first stage requires a ceasefire, with the second one ensuring it (without replenishing troops, rearming, accumulating ammunition, etc.). And the third stage is peace settlement.

It was in this vein that Aleksandr Lukashenko shared his vision of the situation with the U.S. President. However, the latter deemed it possible to combine the first two stages and proceed immediately to concluding a peace deal. On this matter, the Belarusian head of state is certain that, first and foremost, a ceasefire must still be achieved. After that, negotiations can begin and continue even for years, as was the case, for example, with Japan and the Soviet Union, and now with Russia.