OREANDA-NEWS. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus and the Russian Federation were not preparing any kind of war against Ukraine, BelTA reports.

“I emphasize that he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) told me: “Maybe they [the Ukrainian authorities] will realize that they should sit down at the negotiating table and speak about peace. The fraternal peoples should not fight." That's what we agreed on. And not that we were deciding about some kind of war against Ukraine. I highlight once again: in order, as he said, for the Ukrainians, the leadership and politicians of Ukraine to once again draw conclusions and understand that these issues must be resolved at the negotiating table, ”said the leader of Belarus.

The military leadership of Ukraine was warned about the possibility of hostilities, but did not take any steps. This was stated by the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, his words are quoted by BelTA.

“Tonight, before the operation, he (a representative of the military leadership of Ukraine) asked for a conversation. I say: “You offered him from me that after the meeting with President Putin, our President of Belarus recommends that you immediately contact the Minister of Defense, the General Staff of Russia so that this massacre does not start. Did he call there? Didn't call. He, knowing that a conflict could start, did not even call Moscow,” Lukashenka said.

The Belarusian leader also noted that the military leadership of Ukraine had held talks with their Belarusian counterparts twice.

“Listen, there were cases in history when Khrushchev called Kennedy at night and stopped the thermonuclear war. And here, you see, it was difficult to call, to pick up the phone. Bastard! Lukashenka stressed.

According to the agency, at about 5 am on February 24, Lukashenka had a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian colleague informed the President of Belarus about the situation on the border between Ukraine and Donbass.

On February 24, Putin said that he had decided to conduct a military special operation to protect the Donbass in response to a request for help from the heads of the LPR and DPR.