Lukashenko says Belarus does not plan to send forces to Ukraine

Belarus does not plan to send troops to Ukraine, President Alexander Lukashenko said on Friday.

"I have already said a thousand and two hundred times that I have no such plans," BelTA news agency quoted Lukashenko as saying. According to the Belarusian president, the only citizens of Belarus who participate in the hostilities on the territory of Ukraine, were "sent" there by authorities’ opponents who left the country.

Lukashenko has repeatedly said that Belarus participates in Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine. However, he emphasized that the Belarusian military personnel is not directly involved in the operation - the goal of Minsk is to prevent any strikes on the country. Belarus also provides medical and humanitarian assistance to citizens of other countries, including refugees.