Lukashenko reveals secret diplomacy behind Russia's 2022 Ukraine retreat

Alexander Lukashenko has shared new details about Russia’s withdrawal from northern Ukraine in early 2022. The Belarusian leader claims intermediaries convinced Vladimir Putin that Kyiv was ready for peace talks. He also stated that Moscow pulled troops back to de-escalate the conflict. According to Lukashenko, Russian forces had advanced to the outskirts of Kyiv before receiving the withdrawal order. He said Putin agreed to the pullback after Vatican representatives and Israeli intermediaries assured him that Ukraine was prepared to negotiate. The Russian leader reportedly later realised these assurances did not result in a settlement.

Lukashenko added that Russian military commanders believed the Kyiv offensive might have succeeded if it had continued. He also argued that Belarus chose not to enter the war, as it would have caused more harm than benefit. The withdrawal of Russian troops from Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy regions was completed by early April 2022.

In his remarks, Lukashenko acknowledged that neither Russia nor Ukraine had fully achieved their wartime objectives. He also apologised to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for some of his past statements. Lukashenko’s account sheds light on the diplomatic efforts behind Russia’s early retreat from northern Ukraine. His comments also highlight the unresolved tensions and unmet goals of both sides in the conflict. The withdrawal marked a significant shift in the war’s early phase.