Zelenskyy's office comments on Lukashenko's readiness to meet: This man's words mean nothing

May 21, 2026 - 15:11

The Office of the President of Ukraine has described a declaration by self-proclaimed Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko that he is willing to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy anywhere, including in Ukraine, as "meaning nothing".

Source: a comment to journalists by Presidential Communications Adviser Dmytro Lytvyn

Quote: "Since 2022 it has been obvious to everyone that this man's words mean nothing, so we look at his actions. Lukashenko has a habit of rather clumsily inventing [explanations], after the fact, of where an 'attack was being prepared' against him, so what is there to discuss here?"

Background:

Lukashenko claimed on Thursday that he is open to holding talks with Zelenskyy and is willing to meet him anywhere. "If he [Zelenskyy – ed.] wants to discuss something, seek advice, or anything else, he is welcome to; we are open to this. I am ready to meet him at any location – Ukraine or Belarus – and discuss the issues in Belarusian-Ukrainian relations," he said.
On 15 May, Zelenskyy reported, following a meeting with military leadership, intelligence and security services, that Ukraine continues to record Russia's attempts to draw Belarus further into the war against Ukraine and instructed the defence forces to present a response plan.
Belarus's Defence Ministry announced that exercises for units on the combat deployment of nuclear weapons began in Belarus on 18 May. They are being conducted in coordination with Russian military forces.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has described the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus and the joint nuclear exercises of the two dictatorships as an unprecedented challenge to the global security architecture and called for a robust response from Kyiv's international partners.
In 2022, some Russian forces entered Ukrainian territory from Belarusian territory. Missile strikes were also carried out from its territory.