World · Europe · 17 hrs ago
Lukashenko says Ukrainians should decide who leads their country
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Ukrainians should choose their own president, responding to US President Donald Trump’s call for a change in Ukraine’s leadership.
Lukashenko said Trump was right that Volodymyr Zelensky should keep a promise to serve only one term and go to elections, but should not dictate Ukraine’s decision.
He said Ukraine’s dependence on US support, including intelligence and weapons, gives Washington influence over Kyiv.
Lukashenko urged Ukraine to seek a peace settlement with Russia this year, warning it could become harder next year and impossible later.
He also said Russia was stronger than Ukraine and could continue the conflict for a long time, while claiming Moscow remained open to negotiations.
The comments link Ukraine’s leadership choices to its reliance on US support and the war with Russia.
The statements do not set out a next step in negotiations or a timetable for elections in Ukraine.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Ukrainians should decide who leads their country.
He said US President Donald Trump should not dictate what Ukraine should do.
Lukashenko also said Volodymyr Zelensky had promised to serve only one term and should keep that promise by holding an election.
He argued Ukraine should seek a peaceful settlement with Russia this year, saying it would become harder later.
Lukashenko said Ukraine’s reliance on US intelligence and weapons gave Washington leverage over Kyiv.
- Who
- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko commented on US President Donald Trump’s remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- What
- Lukashenko said Ukrainians should decide who leads their country and that Trump should not dictate Ukraine’s decisions.
- When
- October 16, 2026.
- Where
- Verkhnyadzvinsky District, Belarus.
- Why
- Lukashenko was responding to Trump’s statements that Zelensky should be replaced and to a question about peace in Ukraine under Zelensky.
Donald Trump
Alexander Lukashenko
Who should lead Ukraine
Donald Trump
Trump said Zelensky should be replaced.
Alexander Lukashenko
Ukrainians should decide who leads their country.
Ukraine’s next steps
Donald Trump
Not stated in the sources.
Alexander Lukashenko
Trump should not dictate how Ukraine should act.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Kyiv was raising the prospect of ceasefires in several areas, including energy and air operations.
A Kremlin representative said Moscow supported a comprehensive settlement of the Ukraine crisis.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was open to negotiations on Ukraine.
Lukashenko said Ukrainians should decide who leads their country and that Trump should not dictate Ukraine’s choices.
- Speaker
- Alexander Lukashenko
- Date
- October 16, 2026
- Location
- Verkhnyadzvinsky District, Belarus
- Ukrainian president discussed
- Volodymyr Zelensky
- US president discussed
- Donald Trump
3 sources
What people are saying
Who will be President in Ukraine will be decided by the Ukrainian people.
Trump should not dictate how Ukraine should act.
If they do not go for a peaceful settlement this year, next year it will be even more difficult, and after that it will be impossible.