Lukashenko proposes truce be declared in Ukraine with ban on redeployment of troops, weapons

MINSK. March 31 (Interfax) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has proposed declaring a truce in Ukraine to prevent further escalation.

"It is necessary to stop now, before an escalation begins. I would dare to suggest a ceasefire. Declare a truce with a ban on redeployment of forces, weapons and hardware. That's it, a standstill. [Everyone] freezes!" Lukashenko said in his address to the nation and the National Assembly on Friday.

"Let me give you some insider information. People on both sides of the frontline in Ukraine, company and platoon commanders, are making deals," he said. Lukashenko said that, in his opinion, Ukrainians do not want to fight because they do not understand what they are fighting for.

Lukashenko urged the conflicting sides to begin direct talks without waiting for intermediaries from the West. "Ukraine will be forgotten if a minor conflict breaks out in some other part of the planet tomorrow. No one will deliver and give them weapons. People do not want to fight," he said.

"If the West again tries through deception to use a pause in hostilities to step up its operations, Russia must use the entire might of its defense sector and army to prevent an escalation of the conflict: phosphorous munitions, depleted uranium and enriched uranium, if there is further deception," Lukashenko said.

Russia, as a nuclear power, cannot be defeated, Lukashenko said. "If Russia understands that the situation is threatening it with dismemberment, the most awful weapons will be used," Lukashenko said, adding, "There is no way to defeat a nuclear power."

In turn, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow has heard the call made by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for a truce in Ukraine and the beginning of negotiations, and is likely to be discussed by the Russian and Belarusian leaders next week.

Journalists asked Peskov on Friday whether the Kremlin heard these statements, and whether it deemed the plan to be feasible.

"Of course, we have heard what Alexander Grigoryevich [Lukashenko] said. Of course, the two presidents, I mean Putin and Lukashenko, will continue [talks] next week, I mean at the meeting of the Supreme State Council [of the Union State] that will be held next week, and this will allow the presidents to have another detailed discussion. Obviously, this issue will also be addressed," Peskov said.

"But nothing changes in the context of Ukraine, and the special military operation is continuing, as this is the only way to achieve the objectives of our country at this point," he said.