War only possible if Belarus or Russia attacked, says Lukashenko

FILE PHOTO: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko chairs a meeting after inspecting military facilities outside Luninets, Belarus January 21, 2022. Maxim Guchek/BelTA/Handout via REUTERS

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said on Friday that Minsk had absolutely no interest in a war and that conflict would only break out if Belarus or its close ally Russia were directly attacked.

Lukashenko made the remarks in a speech to lawmakers and officials. Moscow and Minsk are set to hold joint drills in Belarus to the north of Ukraine next month that have put the West on edge amid a wider Russian military buildup.