Emmanuel Macron directly warned Alexander Lukashenka about the consequences of involvement in Russian aggression. This is the first known telephone contact between the politicians in over four years, occurring amidst an escalation of the situation in the region and the deployment of the latest nuclear weapons.
Alexander Lukashenka, May 9, 2026. Photo: Ramil Sitdikov Pool Photo / AP; Emmanuel Macron, Ludovic Marin / AP
Details of the phone conversation between Paris and Minsk were published by Agence France-Presse (AFP). Journalists, citing an anonymous source in the French president's entourage, reported that
Emmanuel Macron clearly outlined the risks for Belarus should it continue to allow itself to be drawn into the Russian war. In addition, the French leader urged Alexander Lukashenka to take the necessary steps to improve relations between Belarus and Europe.
This is the first publicly confirmed conversation between the heads of the two states since February 2022, when Russian forces used Belarusian territory to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Official Minsk, in turn, limited itself to a very modest message. The press service of the Belarusian politician only confirmed the fact of discussing regional problems and that the French side initiated the call.
Nuclear Drills and Missiles on the NATO Border
The diplomatic move by the Élysée Palace was a reaction to the unprecedented military tension of recent weeks, which the authors of the English-language article specifically highlight. Earlier in May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered the reinforcement of the border with Belarus in the north, stating that Moscow was preparing a new offensive from that direction, although the Kremlin denied these accusations. Further escalation occurred on May 18, when Russia and Belarus conducted joint nuclear exercises, which was a kind of response to the increase in Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory.
The agency particularly emphasizes the geopolitical danger of the moment: Belarus, which borders NATO's eastern flank, has now become the base for the latest Russian Oreshnik missile systems, capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
The conversation between the French president and Lukashenka coincided with another surge of aggression, as Russia, precisely on Sunday, used this hypersonic ballistic missile for the third time during the war in a massive strike that caused widespread destruction in Kyiv.
Comments
Пропаганда скажет: видите, как нас бояться.. Что не может не быть правдой, видно, что европейцы очень напуганы, что даже не побрезговали говорить с тараканом, который 3 %