Ukraine proposed a non-aggression pact with Belarus according to Lukashenko

Ukrainian officials may have proposed a pact of non-aggression between the war-torn state and its northern neighbor according to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. 

While commenting on the prospect of war in Ukraine with the Belarusian state news agency Belta, Lukashenko mentioned that he had been asked to sign a non-aggression pact. 

"They are asking us not to go to war with Ukraine in any circumstances, not to move our troops there,” Lukashenko was quoted as saying. 

“They are proposing we conclude a non-aggression pact," Lukashenko added, before moving on to discuss other topics. 

It was not clear from his statements whether or not it was Ukraine asking for the pact or whether other Western states were involved in an attempt to negotiate a peace agreement along Ukraine’s troubled northern border according to a Reuters report.

Since the start of the war on February 24, 2022, Russia has used Belarus as a launching pad for its infantry and air attacks into Ukraine. 

“For the past ten months,” wrote the Atlantic Council’s Alesia Rudnik, Lukashenko “has permitted Russia to base troops in Belarus and launch airstrikes from the country against Ukrainian targets."

Belarus was first used by Russian ground forces to make an early attempt at taking Kyiv during the initial invasion.

After Russian forces were defeated in northern Ukraine, they withdrew and Belarus was then used to help facilitate its air war against the Ukrainian civilian population. 

In early October, Lukashenko ordered the deployment of a “regional grouping of troops” in cooperation with Russian forces according to German news outlet Deutsche Welle, a move which sparked fears that Belarus would join Russia in its war against Ukraine. 

Lukashenko deepened his military cooperation with Russia on October 31st when he announced the creation of joint military training centers where mobilized Russian troops would be sent before making their way to the frontlines in Ukraine. 

Moscow has been tightlipped about the possibility of a non-aggression between Belarus and Ukraine and Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov declined to comment when asked by reporters. 

"No, I cannot comment on this right now,” Peskov said according to the Russia's TASS news agency, “I do not have any information."

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs was less apprehensive about discussing the topic and spokesperson Oleh Nikolenko confirmed that his country had no aggressive intent towards its northern neighbor in response to Lukashenko’s comments. 

“Russia is trying in every possible way to draw Belarus directly into the war,” Nikolenko told Ukrainska Pravda on January 24th. 

“Ukraine warns Minsk against any possible further aggressive plans, we confirm the absence of any aggressive intentions towards Belarus on our part,” Nikolenko continued.

Nikolenko added that despite his country’s non-aggressive stance towards Belarus, Ukraine would be ready for any development and would act in its own self-defense in accordance with the UN Charter.