Zelensky responds to Lukashenko's accusations of "training militants against Belarus"
President Volodymyr Zelensky has refuted as unfounded the accusations voiced by Aleksander Lukashenko of Belarus who claimed the president had been training militants who were then allegedly being deployed to Belarus.
This was stated by president's press secretary Serhiy Nikiforov, Ukrinform reports with reference to the President's press service.
"The president emphasizes that Ukraine is fighting militants, not training them, as Alexander Lukashenko claimed. Volodymyr Zelensky decries Alexander Lukashenko's statements as baseless," Nikiforov said.
The spokesperson said the efforts of the Ukrainian authorities were aimed at strengthening security in the country and regaining control of the temporarily occupied territories.
Nikiforov noted that Lukashenko's “unsubstantiated statements” were intended to divert attention from the dramatic events in his own country that started last year and continue to this day.
"The crisis that unfolded after the presidential election can only be resolved democratically. But Alexander Lukashenko lacked courage to step down," he said.
According to the spokesman, Zelensky emphasizes that Ukraine remains a faithful friend of the Belarusian people while staying away from interfering in the political processes ongoing in any other state.
"We hope there will be no unfriendly steps toward Ukraine by Aleksandr Lukashenko. If they are any, they will see an immediate and powerful response from both our state and the international community," Nikiforov stressed.
As Ukrinform reported, at a press conference on Monday, Alexander Lukashenko accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of “training militants against Belarus.”
At the so-called "Big Talk with the President", held in Minsk on August 9, on the anniversary of the presidential election, Lukashenko spoke with journalists and the public.
Photo: the Ukrainian President’s Office
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