Belarus president: Russia seeks lasting peace with Ukraine, not just ceasefire

President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko has emphasised that Russia's intentions go beyond halting hostilities, stating, “Russia has long been ready not just for a ceasefire, but for peace.” 

Lukashenko added that the ongoing situation is not about Russia’s willingness to end the conflict but about the actions of other parties, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

“The issue is not with Russia,” he said, underlining that the real challenge lies with Ukraine and its international supporters. “As far as I know, once the Americans and Ukrainians decide that peace is necessary, the Europeans will fall in line, and peace will be achieved.”

In a new development surrounding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump has called for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, while warning that new sanctions may be imposed if either side breaches the agreement. Trump’s call for a ceasefire follows Russia's unilateral declaration of a temporary truce. On April 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a ceasefire, which began at midnight on May 7 and was scheduled to last until midnight on May 10. The ceasefire was intended to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, a significant milestone in Russia's history.

By May 8, the Russian Defence Ministry confirmed that all military operations by Russian forces in Ukraine had been halted as part of the ceasefire agreement. Despite this, Ukrainian Armed Forces reportedly violated the ceasefire, with two attempts to breach the state border in the Kursk region and an attack near the city of Dzerzhinsk in the Donetsk People's Republic. According to Russian reports, 488 violations of the ceasefire were recorded on May 8, which Ukrainian forces are being held responsible for. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously called for a 30-day ceasefire in the conflict, indicating that the duration of any peace process should extend beyond temporary pauses.

By Naila Huseynova