I Am Peaceful and Will Not Issue Such Orders: Lukashenko

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has stated in his address to the people and parliament that he will never send Belarusian citizens to fight against another people on foreign soil.

"I have never said anywhere that I will send Belarusian citizens to another country's territory to fight against any people. You mention Ukraine. God forbid that I fight against a people where, perhaps, my roots are also hidden. There is no such thing; I am peaceful and will not issue such orders," said Lukashenko.

He also declared that Belarus could only enter military confrontation in cases of direct aggression against itself or the Russian Federation. "I believe this will be an exception, and I have great hope; today I am almost convinced that we will not go to war even in these mentioned two cases," remarked Lukashenko, while noting that he had difficulty accepting the decision to send Belarusian peacekeepers to Kazakhstan as part of CSTO peacekeeping forces.

"So do not think that an idea can arise in my mind to send my and your children to fight. No. Our army is created to protect us within our territory. We will never be a source of war; remember this," said Lukashenko.