"‘It Was Putin": Lukashenko Apologizes to Zelenskyy for Missile Strikes

"‘It Was Putin": Lukashenko Apologizes to Zelenskyy for Missile Strikes

Dagens.com (AU)

Story by Camilla Jessen

 • 7h •  07/01/2015   2 min read

 

Photo: Asatur Yesayants / Shutterstock.com© Photo: Asatur Yesayants / Shutterstock.com

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed a conversation with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko during the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

 

Speaking on January 5 in an interview with U.S. podcaster Lex Fridman, Zelenskyy shared that Lukashenko apologized for missile strikes launched from Belarusian territory on Ukraine, claiming he was not in control of the situation.

 

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"It Was Not Me, It Was Putin"

Zelenskyy recounted a phone call where Lukashenko expressed regret for the missile launches.

“A few days after the first missile strikes, I spoke with Lukashenko,” Zelenskyy said. “He apologized, saying, ‘It was not me; missiles were launched from my territory, but Putin was the one launching them.’ These are his words. I have witnesses.”

Lukashenko reportedly emphasized his lack of agency, repeating to Zelenskyy, “I am not in charge. These are just missiles—this is Putin.”

 

An Offer to Retaliate

Lukashenko suggested Ukraine could retaliate against Belarusian infrastructure.

“He told me, ‘Alright, retaliate then. Hit the Mozyr Oil Refinery—you know how much I care about it,’” Zelenskyy revealed. Located near the Ukrainian border, the Mozyr refinery is one of Belarus’s most critical economic assets, processing Russian oil.

 

Zelenskyy described being stunned by Lukashenko’s offer. “I told him, ‘What are you on about? What retaliation?’ It was unbelievable.

He even added, ‘Forgive me, Volodya.’”

 

While Belarusian territory has been used as a launching ground for Russian military operations, including missile strikes and troop deployments, Lukashenko has repeatedly sought to distance himself from direct responsibility, portraying himself as a leader under duress from Moscow.

 

During the interview, Zelenskyy reiterated his views on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s disregard for human life, accusing him of sending his own people to die in wars of aggression.

 

 

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Revenge, Retaliation, Vengeance, Payback 

‘복수’는  revenge, retaliation, vengeance, payback~.

Revenge는 복수를 의미하는 가장 일반적인 표현이고,

retaliation은 공식적이고 법적인 맥락에서 조직이나 기관 차원의 보복 행위를 지칭, Vengeance는 깊은 원한이나 분노에 기반한 복수를 의미하고,

payback은 일상적인 상황에서 사용하는 가벼운 보복이나 앙갚음을 의미.