Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus and a close ally of Vladimir Putin, has called for an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, urging both sides to negotiate. In a wide-ranging interview with Russian state television, Lukashenko claimed that only “high-ranking people of American origin” are interested in prolonging the war, arguing that the West wants Ukraine and Russia to “destroy each other.” He also suggested that Kyiv might have plans to attack Belarus, though he provided no evidence for this claim, and assured that Minsk would not allow Ukrainian forces to threaten Belarusian territory.
Lukashenko’s comments come as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian forces had captured Sudzha, a key town in Russia’s Kursk region. This marks a significant moment in Ukraine’s ongoing incursion, which began on August 6. Sudzha, with a pre-war population of around 5,000, is the largest Russian town to fall to Ukraine since the invasion started. Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine plans to establish a military command office in the town, signaling a possible long-term presence in the region or a message to Moscow about Ukraine’s intentions.
Ukraine’s advance into Russian territory is unprecedented, marking the first time since World War II that foreign troops have invaded and held Russian land. Ukrainian forces have reportedly advanced 35 kilometers (22 miles) into Russia, capturing more than 100 Russian soldiers. While Moscow has evacuated civilians from the Kursk region and claims to have blocked Ukrainian advances in other areas, the situation remains tense and fluid.
The incursion has caught many by surprise, including Ukraine’s Western allies, who are monitoring the situation closely but allowing Kyiv to lead. The ultimate goals of Ukraine’s operation are still unclear, with options ranging from pushing further into Russian territory to consolidating gains or potentially pulling back after demonstrating that Russia is not invincible. The outcome of this bold move by Ukraine could have significant implications for the future of the conflict and the broader geopolitical landscape.
