INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The president of Belarus, Russia's main ally, on Thursday urged for Minsk to be included in peace talks aimed at ending the "war" in
Ukraine, using a term banned by Moscow.Russia refers to a "special military operation" in Ukraine and insists that the public and media use
this term, while the use of words such as "war" or "invasion" can incur heavy penalties.Yet Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko
repeatedly chose to use the word "war" Thursday at a meeting with security officials.He complained that Minsk is not a participant in rounds
of peace talks between delegations from Kyiv and Moscow, which have been held in Belarus and Istanbul."We are working on the basis that this
war is just over the fence from our country and it affects the situation in our country in the most serious way," Lukashenko said."Therefore
Belarus's position naturally should be heard at talks."Belarus has allowed Russian troops to use the country bordering Ukraine as a rear
base and has hosted three rounds of peace talks close to the border with Ukraine.Lukashenko complained that last month's talks in Istanbul
were the result of "pressure from the west on Ukraine, not to go to Belarus at any cost."He said that Belarus was not insisting on talks
being held on its territory, however."Let them hold talks there
The main thing is for there to be a result
Because, I stress again, war causes great harm to Belarus."
