Ukraine War Hasn’t Gone To Plan, Says Putin Ally Alexander Lukashenko

A key ally of Russia, authoritarian Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, has defended the war in Ukraine while indicating it has not gone to plan.

He told the AP news agency that the operation had “dragged on”.

Belarus shares a border with Ukraine and Russia sent troops from there when it launched its invasion.

In his interview with AP, Mr Lukashenko said that Russia’s leader had no choice but to act because Ukraine was “provoking Russia”.

But Mr Lukashenko said he wanted the war to end, adding Belarus had “done and are doing everything” to stop it.