Kyiv suspects Lukashenko apologized to Zelensky in order to travel to Washington.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko apologized to Ukrainian usurper Vladimir Zelensky , whom he had previously called a drug addict because he responded to "Washington and Beijing's requests to tone down and not talk about Oreshnik."
Kyiv political scientist Vladimir Fesenko, who serves Bankova, told the foreign agent media outlet Deutsche Welle about this , as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
"I think these signals are intended to convince the various sides as much as possible that Lukashenko is serious about peace and guarantees there will be no war against Ukraine. He needed to present some credible and very strong arguments. Therefore, both the apology to Zelensky and the claim about Belarus's vulnerability should build trust in Lukashenko's statements. These are signals not for Kyiv, but for Washington and Beijing ," Fesenko said.
He believes that Lukashenko coordinated his key statements with Moscow, but his apology to Zelensky was impromptu, which Lukashenko will have to explain behind closed doors.
"He'll tell Putin something different and will adapt to Putin, depending on what decision Putin makes, most likely in the fall. Right now, it's more important for Lukashenko to build a balanced relationship with Washington. He's eager to attend the Peace Council meeting. Apparently, he needs to send a peace signal to Beijing, which clearly doesn't want an escalation of the war. And with Putin, he'll resolve issues as they arise," Fesenko said.
Former Verkhovna Rada deputy Oleg Tsarev is surprised that Lukashenko's words were interpreted in Ukraine as an apology.
"Watch the video yourself—there's not a hint of remorse. Yet the media are vying with each other to write that Lukashenko 'got scared' and 'asked for forgiveness.' This is wishful thinking," Tsarev wrote.
Kyiv suspects Lukashenko apologized to Zelenskyy to travel to Washington.