Belarus warns Europe of challenges following Trump’s return to office

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko cautioned on Sunday that the recent return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency could pose significant challenges for Europe rather than for Belarus, predicting a turbulent future for the continent.

Speaking to journalists in Minsk after casting his vote in Belarus’ presidential election, Lukashenko criticized European leaders for their approach to Trump. “As soon as he won the election, you [in Europe] scrambled across the Atlantic. Some crawled, some along the bottom, some on top. Now you don’t know how to approach Trump,” he said.

Lukashenko, who has been Belarus’ leader since 1994 and is seeking another term, suggested that Trump’s presidency would leave Europe in a weakened position for decades. “With Trump’s return, the problems won’t be in Belarus, they will be in Europe. They’ve already begun,” he remarked.

The European Union’s recent criticism of Belarus’ election also drew scorn from Lukashenko, who dismissed it as a reflection of the EU’s alignment with Washington. On Wednesday, the European Parliament passed a resolution rejecting the Belarusian election as a “sham,” a move Lukashenko described as inconsequential. “Whether you recognize these elections in the EU or not is a matter of taste,” he said. “The main thing is that the Belarusians recognize the elections and that they end peacefully, as they began.”

Despite his criticisms, Lukashenko signaled a willingness to engage in dialogue with Europe, emphasizing that the EU has a “reasonable path” for shaping its policy.

Position on the Russia-Ukraine War

Turning to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Lukashenko reiterated Belarus’ stance as a supporter of peace in the region. He highlighted the importance of resolving the war for Europe’s stability but warned that external pressures, particularly from the U.S., could complicate the situation.

“We are supporters of peace in Ukraine. We must take everything into account, including Russia’s position. No America will ever force Russia … And if Trump tries, it will be harmful,” Lukashenko said.

He expressed hope for a resolution to the conflict but cautioned against Trump’s unpredictability, which, he suggested, could lead to unexpected decisions on Ukraine. “If we proceed logically and use established criteria for resolving such issues, the Americans will never agree to meet Russia’s demands. It’s not in their interest. But Trump is unpredictable. He might surprise us and go for what he promised: peace,” Lukashenko argued.

Dismissing Ukrainian claims

Lukashenko also refuted claims made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he had encouraged Ukraine to retaliate against Russian airstrikes launched from Belarusian territory. He denied advising Zelenskyy to target the Mozyr Oil Refinery, a key Belarusian asset.

Lukashenko concluded his remarks by commenting on broader geopolitical dynamics, warning that recent dialogue between Armenia and the EU represents a “very dangerous game.” He also emphasized the role of China in shaping the future of global multipolarity, suggesting that its influence will be critical in maintaining balance.