Lukashenko Says Belarus Won't Join Ukraine War, Praises Joint Nuclear Drills with Russia

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said on May 21, 2026 that Belarus will not be drawn into the war in Ukraine, stating there is no need for it to get involved. He spoke during a visit to missile troops in the Osipovichi district, where he discussed improving the Polonez missile system with work underway with both China and Russia. Lukashenko said Belarus and Russia are ready to defend their territory from Brest to Vladivostok, and that Russian generals were satisfied with a joint nuclear forces training exercise. Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Lukashenko for the training of Belarusian servicemen.