Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has called for a compromise between Russia and Ukraine to bring an end to the conflict that has persisted for more than four years. In an interview with Al Arabiya television, Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasized that a military victory for either side is unlikely and urged both parties to seek a long-term peaceful resolution through negotiation.

“Victory on the battlefield is unrealistic for both sides,” Lukashenko said, noting that while Russian forces continue to advance gradually, the conflict has resulted in significant losses and a depletion of available troops. He acknowledged that both Russia and Ukraine face manpower shortages, describing this as a central challenge in the ongoing hostilities.

Belarus, which facilitated Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine by allowing the use of its territory and has permitted the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons on its soil, has maintained a delicate stance. Although Lukashenko has repeatedly ruled out Belarusian military involvement in the conflict, he reaffirmed the readiness of Belarus and Russia to defend themselves jointly.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has noted improvements in Ukrainian defensive positions in recent months and has expressed concerns about potential new Russian offensives possibly originating from Belarusian territory. However, Lukashenko dismissed these worries, asserting that Ukraine has “absolutely nothing to fear” from Belarus and attributing such claims to “political ambitions.”

The interview came amid stagnation in US-brokered peace talks, which have been complicated by shifting US foreign policy priorities, including a focus on the conflict in Iran. Zelensky has consistently called for direct negotiations with Putin, but efforts towards dialogue remain stalled.

Lukashenko also addressed the possibility of meeting with former US President Donald Trump, saying he does not rule out such a meeting. He suggested that any engagement should not be restricted to isolated issues like prisoner releases. Since the Trump administration took office, Belarus has accelerated the release of hundreds of inmates considered political prisoners by human rights organizations, a move Lukashenko appeared keen to highlight.

As the conflict continues with no immediate resolution, Lukashenko’s call for compromise underscores the complexities facing all parties involved in the long-running war in Ukraine.