Alexander Lukashenko demands that Belarus be invited to participate in future peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. The dictator fears that agreements made at the negotiating table might force him to "give up half of Belarus.

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of being unwilling to negotiate during a press conference in Moscow on Friday. Putin said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky repeatedly makes demands but offers no proposals - and had even signed a decree banning negotiations with Russia.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko reiterated his stance that Belarus should be involved in peace talks on Ukraine, claiming he had conveyed this to both Ukraine and Russia. Read also: Lukashenko announces a national smartphone,