Belarusian President warns 'will cut off fuel' if Ukraine attacks Donbass: Report

Amid escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko warned Kyiv of repercussions if it starts a war against Donbass, Sputnik reported. According to Russian news agency, Lukashenko's warning came during "Soloviev Live" show on Sunday.

When asked wher his government was in talks with Russian government, he replied positively and said that his country would "coordinate a joint response with Moscow if Kyiv started a war against Donbass." Notably, Donbas is a historical, cultural, and economic region in south-eastern Ukraine. Some of its regions are disputed and occupied by two unrecognised separatist states.

Furr, during conversation, Belarusian President went on to say that he was planning to stop export of fuel and electricity to Ukraine if Kyiv's behaviour led to a war with Russia. "We will cut off all fuel and lubricant supplies to Ukraine...as well as electricity. We will not supply it if y start a war against us or Russia," Sputnik quoted Lukashenko as saying. He warned that two countries (Russia and Belarus) drew red lines and "if Ukraine tries to cross, it would face severe percussions".

Lukashenko warned his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky to face possible rocket strikes and blamed Western countries including United States for escalating Kyiv towards war.

"This is just essence of war, about which you and we are having debates now: 'Ukraine will fight'. Well, it is not Ukraine, it is Americans who are pushing it (Ukraine) to war," Sputnik quoted Lukashenko as saying on Russian YouTube show 'Soloviev Live'. 

'Better not to touch us', says Belarusian President

"Do y not see it? refore, y understand that it is futile to fight with us, especially with Russia. We are not talking about some kind of nuclear and or weapons. But it is better not to touch us," Lukashenko asserted. It is worth mentioning tension between Ukraine, Russia and US soared tremendously following US intelligence reports claiming over one lakh Russian troops are pressed near Ukraine border by President Vlimir Putin. As per report, Russian forces have reportedly me all preparations to "inve Ukraine". However, Putin refuted intelligence reports and called allegations "baseless".

(Image: AP)