It Was Not Me, It Was Putin: Lukashenko Apologizes for Russian Missile Strikes From Belarus on Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed that he had a conversation with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko during the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, where he apologized for the Russian missile strikes on Ukraine from Belarussian territory, offering the Ukrainian side to strike Belarus in response, in an interview with US podcaster Lex Fridman on January 5.

According to Zelenskyy, Lukashenko not only apologized for the missile strikes launched from Belarusian territory but also suggested retaliation.

“A few days after the first missile strikes, I spoke with Lukashenko on the phone,” Zelenskyy revealed. “He apologized. He said, ‘It was not me; missiles were launched from my territory, but Putin was the one launching them.’ These are his words. I have witnesses.”

Lukashenko reportedly insisted that he wasn’t in control of the situation, repeatedly telling Zelenskyy, “I am not in charge. These are just missiles—this is Putin.”

“I told him, ‘You’re a murderer too.’ He replied, ‘You must understand, you can’t fight the Russians,’” Zelenskyy continued.

In addition, Lukashenko told Zelenskyy that Ukraine could hit his oil refinery in response. “He told me, ‘Alright, retaliate then. Hit the Mozyr Oil Refinery—you know how much I care about it,’” Zelenskyy recounted.

The Mozyr Oil Refinery, located in Belarus’s Gomel region near the Ukrainian border, is one of the country’s largest refineries and a vital part of its economy, processing Russian oil.

“I was stunned,” Zelenskyy said. “I told him, ‘What are you on about? What retaliation? ’ It was unbelievable. He even added, ‘Forgive me, Volodya.’”

Earlier, Zelenskyy stated that Vladimir Putin shows no regard even for his own people, sending them to die in wars of occupation.