Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that the Russian…

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 was not a quick victory because he claims Putin was misled by lies from the Vatican and Israel.

Consensus

• Russian troops were withdrawn from Kyiv in 2022
• The withdrawal was reportedly due to pressure from certain political forces
• These forces allegedly included the Vatican and Israeli lobby
• They claimed Ukraine was ready to sign a peace agreement
• Lukashenko believes that if Russia had continued advancing, Zelensky would have been removed from power

Points of divergence

• Putin himself stated that the withdrawal was a condition for signing a peace treaty with Ukraine, but Ukraine later refused to honor the agreement — kommersant
• Lukashenko emphasized that Russia is currently advancing in the conflict — vedomosti
• Lukashenko stated that he and other Belarusian military leaders believe that if Russia had continued the offensive, Zelensky would not have remained in power — interfax