Belarus's Leader: Stuck Between Russia and Reality

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is in a tough spot. He's balancing his country's safety with Russia's influence. Belarus is right next to Russia, with Ukraine and three NATO countries nearby. Lukashenko let Russian forces use Belarus to attack Ukraine but kept his own troops out. He's worried about NATO getting involved and losing his power. Recently, he denied that North Korea sent soldiers to aid Russia. He thinks this would escalate the conflict. But it's known that North Korean troops are in Russia, ready for Ukraine. Lukashenko doesn't want to admit this. He wants peace, not more war. Steve Rosenberg of BBC asked why Lukashenko allowed Russian troops in Belarus. Lukashenko said there were exercises, and Putin redirected some troops to Kyiv. He thinks they were provoked. But Russia planned to invade Ukraine from Belarus before the war started. Lukashenko is in a tricky spot. He denies the truth and lets Putin do as he pleases. Things used to be different. Before the 2020 election, Lukashenko tried to be friends with the West. He even invited a US Secretary of State to Minsk. But he lost the election and cracked down on protesters. He needed Russia's help, and now Putin has control. Lukashenko doesn't want to send Belarusian troops to fight in Ukraine. He's resisting Russian pressure. Putin might replace him if he finds someone who will. But that could cause another uprising, which Putin doesn't want.