Alexander Lukashenko: Conflicts in Ukraine and with Iran will end this year

Alexander Lukashenko: 'The conflicts in Ukraine and with Iran will be stopped this year.'

On hope for peace in the most dangerous regions:

'God did not give us these wars – we brought them upon ourselves. We must think about how to stop these wars.'

'Can these wars be stopped at all, especially here in our region (and in your region, where you work – in the Middle East)? Now more than ever, we have the opportunity to end these wars.'

'It all depends on the will of just a few people. If there is such a will, these wars can definitely be ended this year. Even the conflict between Russia and Ukraine can be ended this year.'

On the Middle East conflict:

'There are no options other than stopping the war there. And it will be stopped this year. I hope, even in the near future. First of all, between the United States and Iran. Although I don’t consider this a war between Americans and Iranians. It is primarily a war between Israel and Iran, into which Americans have been drawn due to the short-sighted policies of certain U.S. leaders.'

'I know the position of the President of the United States, on whom much depends in ending this war – he is focused on stopping it. I emphasize again: because there is no other way out, no other solution. And this is the difference between the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman and the war in Ukraine. Here, the conflict is more complex than there, in Iran.'

Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that objective circumstances force the U.S. leadership to stop military pressure on Iran.

'Therefore, this year, I believe, these conflicts can be stopped. And I don’t just hope – I am confident they will be stopped,' concluded Alexander Lukashenko.