Belarus: Ukraine Seeks to Provoke Russia to Use Nuclear Weapons

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko warned Kyiv that the escalation with Russia could end with the destruction of Ukraine if it does not come to the negotiating table, stating that "Russian forces will eliminate the Ukrainian army in Kursk." In an interview with Russian television, Lukashenko said, "If Moscow and Kyiv do not sit at the negotiating table, the escalation will end with the destruction of Ukraine." He added, "The escalation from Ukraine provokes Russia to take similar retaliatory actions, including the use of nuclear weapons. Peace negotiations in Ukraine must resume based on what was agreed upon in Istanbul."