This is War: Lukashenko

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has stated that there are people in the "high circles" of Russia who seek to annex Belarus, but any attempt to do so would lead to war.

“You are smaller, we are bigger, our economy is like this, yours is like that. We will help you, and you will join Russia. Questions cannot be framed this way. It is impossible and unrealizable. I am even afraid to say that this is war,” Lukashenko said in an interview with Izvestia.

According to him, a Union State is already being created between Belarus and Russia, which allows for closer relations than even in a unitary state. “We can build relationships that will be closer and stronger than in a unitary state. And no one will take offense at anyone,” Lukashenko explained.

He also expressed confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin has “never had the problem of occupying someone else's territory.”