Lukashenko jokes about Russia trip, addresses Ukraine on Victory Day

In Belarus on 9 May 2026, Lukashenko marked Victory Day with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Victory monument in Minsk. He said no one can prevent the celebration of Victory Day, recalled the terrible price the USSR paid for the liberation of Europe from fascism, and addressed Ukraine. He also named those Belarus sees as its enemies.

Lukashenko congratulated Putin on Victory Day, and Putin thanked him for his visit to Moscow for the 9 May celebrations and congratulated him and the people of Belarus. Lukashenko shared his impressions of the Victory parade in Moscow, saying he had worried, and joked about his trip to Russia and about talking to journalists in Putin's place. He also said the Union State should be in the vanguard of overcoming the global security crisis. Separately, BelTA reported that Belarus's foreign ministry said Belarus is open to dialogue with the EU.