Macron and Lukashenko spoke by phone for the first time in over four years
French President Emmanuel Macron held a telephone conversation with Alexander Lukashenko at the initiative of the French side.
This was reported by BelTA.
According to the Belarusian state news agency, the parties discussed the regional situation, as well as Belarus’s relations with the European Union.
This is the first phone call between Macron and Lukashenko since February 26, 2022—two days after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, when Belarusian territory was used for the advance of Russian troops.
The contact took place amid reports of activity near the Ukrainian-Belarusian border and discussions regarding potential risks of escalation from that direction.
Alexander Lukashenko stated that he was allegedly ready to visit Ukraine and discuss relations with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In Kyiv, the response to such statements was as restrained and firm as possible, with officials reminding the public of Belarus’s role in the war.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated from Slavutych that Ukraine is ready to take preemptive action in the event of threats from Belarus and Russia’s border regions. According to him, the situation in the north requires additional strengthening of defenses and attention to community safety. The president also separately warned the Belarusian leadership of the possible consequences of any aggressive steps.
