Russian ally suggests ‘first step’ towards Ukraine ceasefire
(MENAFN) Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has proposed that the US push Ukraine to stop conducting long-range attacks on Russian territory as a starting point for securing a broader ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. Lukashenko’s remarks came after his recent meeting with Keith Kellogg, a special envoy for former US President Donald Trump. The meeting represented a rare diplomatic engagement between Minsk and Washington following years of limited contact.
Lukashenko said he conveyed his ideas on resolving the conflict, which align with those of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He emphasized that Russia wants an end to Ukrainian drone and cruise missile attacks on its cities, calling for Washington to pressure President Vladimir Zelensky to halt such strikes. “Let them tell Zelensky to stop attacking Russia — then we can come to an agreement,” Lukashenko stated, outlining Moscow’s position.
He said Kellogg responded positively, indicating the US was working toward that goal. “That would be a good first step towards ending this fratricidal war,” Lukashenko added, though he expressed doubt that the US genuinely wants peace.
Kellogg later clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that he had not discussed Ukraine’s military actions beyond the framework of a total ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Kiev continues to call for harsher US sanctions on Russia and has rejected Moscow’s conditions for ending hostilities, which include withdrawing Ukrainian forces from disputed regions or halting mobilization and Western arms deliveries.
Russia has made several ceasefire proposals this year, such as temporary pauses during holidays and halts in strikes on energy infrastructure. However, Moscow claims Ukraine has either rejected or failed to fully comply with these initiatives.
Belarus, a staunch Russian ally, remains under Western sanctions. Lukashenko denounced these measures as economic warfare against a sovereign state resisting foreign pressure.
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