Aleksandr Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, has de facto acknowledged the participation of Belarus in the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine but indicated that it has mainly a non-military or "defensive" nature.

"As for our participation in the special military operation (quote according to the original. - Ed.) in Ukraine - we participate there. We do not hide it. But we do not kill anyone. We do not send our troops anywhere. We do not violate our obligations," the Belarusian state news agency BelTA quotes Lukashenko.

He insists that Belarus's participation aims at "preventing the spread of the conflict" to his territory and "preventing an attack on Belarus under the guise of a special military operation by Poland, Lithuania and Latvia."

"Yes, we treat people, if necessary. Yes, we feed people, and not only Russians. We mostly feed those impoverished, poor refugees who arrive to us from Ukraine, 400-500 people per day. Well, how not to feed them, not to treat them? This is our participation in this military operation, there was no other way, and there will be no other way," Lukashenko said.

EuroPravda published an editorial with a call to cut off diplomatic relations with the Lukashenko regime Enough Is Enough. Time for Ukraine to Cut Ties with Belarus