In an interview with the Ukrainian reporter Diana Panchenko Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko gave a direct answer to the question of who is to blame for the current situation in the region and in particular events in Ukraine.

LUKASHENKO to Ukrainian reporter:

“Poroshenko had a chance to turn everything around. Zelensky did as well. You are a new man. You had nothing to do with it. Did something happen? Sit down, think about making things better for your state, for your people! Well, why are you fighting this war now?”

“Your counteroffensive cost 45,000 people in dead and maimed. 45,000!.. Your losses are 1 to 8 at the frontline. And [Russia has] 250,000 people in reserve with cutting-edge hardware. You will be crushed… and the Poles rub their hands in glee. Pushed by the Americans, they will cut off the western regions… You have to take your head into your hands and act on the basis of reality. Act in the interests of this huge and beautiful territory.”