Ukrainian military command warned about possible special operation - Lukashenko

MINSK. Feb 24 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian military command was warned about possible hostilities but did nothing, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said at a meeting with the military on Thursday.

"Alexander Lukashenko noted that the Ukrainian military command twice held negotiations with its Belarusian colleagues. The latest conversation took place after the presidents of Belarus and Russia met in Moscow. Details of the summit talks were relayed to Ukraine," the Belarusian state-run news agency BelTA said.

"He [a representative of the Ukrainian military command] asked for dialogue last night. I say, 'Talk to him'. You told him on my behalf that, after a meeting with President Putin, the Belarusian president recommends that you instantly get in touch with the Russian defense minister and General Staff in order to prevent the slaughter from happening," the news agency quoted Lukashenko as saying.

"Did he call? No, he did not. He knew that a conflict could begin but did not even call Moscow. Listen, there have been historical precedents: Khrushchev called Kennedy late at night and a thermonuclear war was prevented. In this case, he did not bother to make a call. Bastard!" Lukashenko said.