Macron calls on Lukashenko to keep Belarus out of Ukraine war

French President Emmanuel Macron called on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to refrain from dragging Belarus into the conflict in Ukraine, TASS reported.

Macron also urged Lukashenko to take necessary measures to improve relations between Belarus and Europe, according to the same report.

The appeal comes amid sustained concern among European leaders over Minsk's posture in the broader conflict. Belarus, which shares a border with Ukraine and has maintained a close political and military alignment with Moscow since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, has been a focal point of Western anxiety over a potential widening of the war.

Lukashenko, who has governed Belarus since 1994 and faced sweeping Western sanctions following a disputed 2020 presidential election and the subsequent crackdown on protesters, has repeatedly denied any intention of committing Belarusian troops to the fighting.

No specific measures or timeline were attached to Macron's appeal, according to the TASS report.