Former SVR Chief Reveals Why Lukashenko Was Summoned To Meet With Putin

The dictator said too much.

Alexander Lukashenko arrived to meet with Vladimir Putin for private talks. This is likely due not only to agreements on military cooperation between Russia and Belarus, but also to the Kremlin’s dissatisfaction with the Belarusian dictator’s recent statements.

Army General and former head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service Mykola Malomuzh told “Channel 24” that Putin regularly consults with Lukashenko. This time, the meeting may have been prompted by the Belarusian dictator’s statements about his unwillingness to participate in the war against Ukraine and his attempts to adopt a peace-seeking rhetoric.

Nikolai Malomuzh believes that during such meetings, the parties traditionally discuss the use of Belarusian territory, its intelligence services, military equipment, ammunition, and logistical support for Russia’s needs.

Lukashenko’s behavior may have alarmed the Kremlin, as he began making statements about peace and tried to demonstrate a certain degree of loyalty toward Ukrainians.

“This is one way to call him (the Belarusian dictator—Channel 24) on the carpet to make it clear that he must not ‘step out of line’ from the unified strategy of countering our state,” Malomuzh said.

The former head of the Foreign Intelligence Service suggested that Putin suspects Lukashenko of trying to play his own political game, especially given Russia’s lack of significant success on the front lines. This is precisely why the Kremlin is striving to prevent Minsk from seeking alternative avenues of cooperation with the West or Ukraine.

According to Nikolai Malomuzh, Moscow remains interested in maintaining tension along the border with Belarus so that Ukraine is forced to keep military forces there, as well as in sustaining constant confrontation with Europe.

“Lukashenko has said a lot of things that Putin doesn’t like, and that already warrants preventive measures or punishment,” he said.

Furthermore, in response to Ukraine’s warnings about the need to counter the threat of invasion from Belarus, the Kremlin continues to demonstrate its readiness to “defend” Belarus under the terms of signed military agreements. The occupiers are using this as a signal or a threat to Ukraine and European countries.

As a reminder, Lukashenko may have been reacting to statements by Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding possible strikes on Russian-Belarusian infrastructure, particularly relay stations. Following these statements, changes in the operation of some of these facilities began to be observed in Belarus. Minsk is likely attempting in this way to reduce the risks of escalation and secure critical infrastructure amid growing tensions between the parties.

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