Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarusian leader, during the ceremonial opening of the renovated bridge over the Pripyat River in Mozyr on November 6 stated that Belarus is open to Ukrainians and invites them to come to the country. The information was reported by the Belarusian state information agency BELTA.

Among other remarks, Lukashenko stressed Ukraine’s proximity to the Mozyr District and admitted that he had previously declined an invitation to visit there. «I think, well, given the war in Ukraine, it’s somehow hard for us to rejoice here and for the president to travel… But I think the Ukrainians will forgive me. We are linking the shores, including for them» – he said.

“I think, well, given the war in Ukraine, it’s somehow hard for us to rejoice here and for the president to travel… But I think the Ukrainians will forgive me. We are linking the shores, including for them”

– Alexander Lukashenko

In addition, Lukashenko addressed Ukrainians, inviting them to visit Belarus, saying that the authorities will provide everything they need. «We are open. Please come, Ukrainians. We will gladly welcome you. For your families, for your children, we will provide a life for them similar to that of Belarusians in terms of education and healthcare» – he said.

“We are open. Please come, Ukrainians. We will gladly welcome you. For your families, for your children, we will provide a life for them similar to that of Belarusians in terms of education and healthcare”

– Alexander Lukashenko

Also, Lukashenko assured that many people from Ukraine have already arrived in Belarus and are working, adding that “we have enough enterprises”.

“We have enough enterprises”

– Lukashenko

“We are ready to welcome them. For us, Ukrainians are a boon. They are very hardworking people who understand us, speak the same language as us. Yet trouble has come to the neighbor’s house. I think we will cope with this problem,” added Lukashenko, referring to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

“We are ready to welcome them. For us, Ukrainians are a boon. They are very hardworking people who understand us, speak the same language as us. Yet trouble has come to the neighbor’s house. I think we will cope with this problem”

– Lukashenko

In early 2025, President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a podcast with American-born Ukrainian journalist Lex Friedman, stated that Alexander Lukashenko, in the first days of the full-scale war, apologized for Belarus’s involvement and that “it was not him” who launched the weapons and placed all the blame on the head of the Kremlin Vladimir Putin.

“Alexander Lukashenko in the first days of the full-scale war apologized for Belarus’s involvement and that ‘it wasn’t him’ who launched the missiles and placed all the blame on the head of the Kremlin Vladimir Putin.”

– Lex Friedman

Press secretary of Lukashenko Natalia Eismont stated that he did not apologize to Zelensky, because, allegedly, “there is nothing to apologize for”.

“There is nothing to apologize for”

– Natalia Eismont

Context of the statements and their reactions

The content of Lukashenko’s remarks leaves room for various assessments: from emphasizing flexibility to signaling openness to neighbors. In the context of a full-scale war, this rhetoric sounds like an attempt to push for diplomatic moves and to position Belarus in the region. Such statements may influence how Belarus is perceived as a state seeking to maintain a balance between neighboring countries and its own interests.