On 24 May, French President Emmanuel Macron warned Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka against involvement in Russia's war on Ukraine, AFP reported. The call was the first since 26 February 2022, days into Russia's full-scale invasion. It came as Russia hit Ukraine with another massive missile and drone strike, including its third Oreshnik launch.
What Macron told Lukashenka
Belarusian state-run news agency Belta confirmed the call took place at Paris's initiative. AFP, citing a source close to Macron, reported the warning. Macron stressed "the risks for Belarus of allowing itself to be drawn into Russia's war," the AFP source said. The French President also pressed Lukashenka to take steps toward improving Belarus's relations with Europe.
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Two readouts, one confirmation
Belarus's presidential press service made the conversation public, but the French presidency has not. The Minsk readout, published by Le Temps, said the leaders discussed regional issues and Belarus's relations with the EU, particularly with France. French TV TF1/LCI separately described the conversation as fruitful.
Belarus, the Oreshnik, and NATO's eastern flank
The call came on the same Sunday Russia hit Bila Tserkva in Kyiv Oblast with the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile. The strike marked Russia's third use of the weapon against Ukraine.
Belarus hosts the Oreshnik on its territory and borders three NATO members—Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. The two leaders had not spoken since the early days of Russia's invasion, which was partly launched from Belarusian soil.
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Nuclear drills, briefings, and Belarus's deeper involvement
Russia and Belarus conducted joint nuclear drills between 18 and 21 May. Ukraine's foreign ministry condemned the exercises as a violation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy briefed Macron and other Western leaders on Russia's plans for Belarus on 22 May.
Macron also published a post condemning Russia's latest Oreshnik strike and citing the "hopelessness" of Russia's aggressive war.
