Ambassador on Belarus 'elections': I was surprised Lukashenko gained only 86% of the vote

Ihor Kyzym, Ambassador-at-Large for Belarus at the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and former ambassador to Belarus (2017–2023), said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

The diplomat noted that few people in Ukraine or globally believe that real presidential elections took place in Belarus on January 26, suggesting instead that Alexander Lukashenko simply "reappointed himself."

"I was actually surprised that they reported 86% [of the vote] for Lukashenko instead of, say, 97%," Kyzym said.

He emphasized that Lukashenko belongs to Ukraine's past.

"I see no possibility of restoring official relations as they were before the full-scale invasion. Lukashenko not only allowed Belarusian territory to be used for Russian aggression against Ukraine, making him a co-aggressor, but he also continues to support Russia's defense industry. For us, the main reference point in relations with Belarus is the Belarusian people," the ambassador said.

Kyzym said that Lukashenko understands he will never restore normal ties with Western countries or Ukraine.

"We must understand that the Lukashenko regime survives primarily because of Russian support, and in this context, he knows who to focus on," the diplomat said.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry previously condemned the Belarusian presidential "elections" on January 26 as a "one-man political show," refusing to recognize their legitimacy, like most democratic countries.