people are repressed in belarus.ople can enter your flat and kidnap your father, brother, or whoever and you can't do anything. are you allowed to speak to your husband at all right now? because he's been sentenced to 18 years in prison. political prisoners in belarus are isolated. they don't have opportunity to communicate with their relatives. we can communicate only through the lawyer, who visits my husband once a week. because, again, there are terrible reports of physical abuse and torture of people arrested, detained, and then imprisoned in belarus. can your husband tell you anything about the conditions he is currently imprisoned under? my husband is in solitary cell for more than one year already, and his physical condition is normal. you know, he's a strong person and he's a fighter. but we have a lot of stories when people have cut their veins, when people go for hunger strike because they can't endure conditions they are in. and, you know, a week ago, after war started, we had massive rally on the streets

i asked him to keep belarus in focus because belarus and ukraine's fates are together now.e spoke a few months ago and i feel his personal engagement and he understands our situation quite well. irgc some explanations from the media that it was personal opinion and he thinks russian people have to choose their president, it's not about prudence power but it will be a message that the world will not leave ukraine, they will not abandon them. missy: are you concerned the kremlin could escalate the situation because of a perception that the united states despite the clarification the white house made that the united states is trying to oust president putin? svetlana: would you reframe the question. missy: are you concerned biden's remarks could lead the russian government to escalate the situation? svetlana: the russian government can escalate the situation using any statement. we are dealing with irrational people who think about only destruction. only about the rising sphere of influence and provocation. missy: before we get into some questions about what's going on militari

guest is svetlana tikhanovskaya, leader of the democratic opposition of belarus. belarus. svetlana, welcome to "washington post live." >> thank you for the invitation here. >> let's get right to it. we have a lot to cover today. the speech president biden gave in warsaw at the weekend, you were there, where he laid out for a prolonged struggle against the forces of autocracy globally and called for a hard line against president vladimir putin of russia. tell us what this moment means for you and for the people of belarus. >> first of all, i have to say that belarusian people are against this war in ukraine. ukrainians are our brothers and sisters and we have never had, never in our history opposed ukraine. and what's going now in this wonderful country is a horror. and lukashenko regime dragged our country into this war, and made our country enemies towards ukraine and, of course, it's awful and i'm sure ukraine will prevail. and also it's not the war between ukraine and russia. it's the war between free world and dictatorship. and and i really don't want or country to los

i asked him to keep belarus in focus because belarus and ukraine fates are interconnected now. i said that we as belarusians support ukraine. we spoke in washington two months ago and i feel his personal engagement in our story. he understands our situation quite well. about this declaration, i already see some explanations in media that it was personal opinion of mr. president and he thinks that russian people have to choose the president, it's not about putin's power. but it was a clear message that they will node leave ukraine one to w*upb -- the rest of the world will not leave ukraine one to one with this war. they will not abandon them. >> are you concerned the kremlin could escalate the situation because of a perception that the united states, despite the clarification that the white house made, that the united states is trying to oust president putin? >> would you rephrase the question for me to understands? >> are you concerned that biden's remark to lead the russian government to escalate the situation? >> russian government can escalate the situation using any statem

. >> and opposition leader in belarus spoke with the washington post saying hundreds of allergens are in ukraine to fight against the russian army as she warded the belarusian army not to pick up arms against the people of ukraine. >> hello and welcome to washington post life, my name is missy rise national security reporter with the washington post we continue to hear from actors in the region around ukraine in today, leader of the democratic opposition in belarus, and welcome to washington post l life. >> thank you for the invitation. >> let's get right to it, we have a lot to cover today, your present of the speech that president bided gave in warsaw over the weekend, where he laid out a call for a prolonged struggle against the forces of hypocrisy globally called for online gets president vladimir putin of russian tell us what this moment means for you and for the people belarus. >> i have to say this morning ukraine because the ukrainians are consistent we've never had never in her history have opposed ukraine and now in this wonderful country is hold and threats our country is t

belarus may be resisting such a move.ut if putin decides he needs even more from his neighbor, lukashenko will find it hard to say no. >> we are joined now by roman, from russia's eastern europe service. thanks for joining us. lukashenko says belarus and troops will not enter ukraine to aid russia's attack. what kind of support is there from the military of such a move was to happen? >> well, we can only speculate about that. there were reports in ukrainian media and from the ukrainian military that belarusian forces were reluctant too that. we are in the fourth week of the russian invasion. and the belarusian forces are not willingly participating in it. we can interpret it as a fact that the belarusians are not eager to join russia. russia would like to see them fighting together against ukraine. russian forces desperately need some fresh forces probably from belarus. i think it could be a matter of hours or days, until russia presses hard enougand lukasheko will say yes. but at this moment, belarus is already participa

if soldiers from belarus start returning to belarus in body bags, the way we're hearing that russians are returning to russia, it could destabilize a country that is not terribly strong right now. and you have a nato military official who is actually telling cnn, quote, does putin want another unstable country in the region? his ally, belarus, perhaps closest ally, involvement in this war would destabilize belarus is what that nato military official is telling cnn. so it could be a double-edged sword. could put more pressure on the ukrainians but it could also really hurt putin's coalition, his alliance on the home front. >> ivan, sources say russia's targeting civilians and committing war crimes on the ground. what have you been told by civilians and military members that you've spoken to over the last few days? >> civilians describe to me sitting in basements in the port city of mariupol. the ukrainian port city. for weeks enduring russian military bombardment and air strikes with no electricity, no heat, no running water, no internet and no cell phone connection. and finally, after

the belarus come of the belarusian border and those tanks came down from belarus. the convoy we talk about so much came down from belarus, they made the 115, 120-mile journey and the approach from 15 miles out of the city and belarus, we told you earlier, the president has now decided that he might go into one of the breakaway regions, attack one of the breakaway regions in mall mold over.that'll extend this wr let me know, mayor, if you can hear me and are you surprised that the people of belarus, the leadership there has decided to pick sides and team up with russia? >> yes. hello. thank you for entertaining me. i hear you well. and of course. you know, we used to have a very good relationship with the belarusian's. we have them on the border, we have 200 meters kilometers of border people used relations. but now... let's say surprised that belarus started its aggression towards ukraine. the people who we believe and trust. so right now we are ready to protect our borders. it's close to belarus. >> we just mentioned that you are a pastor of the protestant church

of belarus? will they blame him? will they blame the west? >> oh, people are blaming him. according to the last data we received, 58% are blaming the regime, the government, for the crisis in belarus. and less than 10% blame the west, or the belarusian opposition. people also blame russia, putin. people are very disappointed. belarus, pro-mugs russian mood is quite high, but right now it's falling down very quickly. i think russia can lose belarus, same way it lost ukraine. >> what are you hearing from opposition supporters inside the country about hot just what their government is doing but what the opposition is able to do still? because they are oppressed, really, aren't they? >> of course. now we are dealing with totalitarian state. there is a kgb network all over the country. people are being detained every week. myself, i have 11 criminal articles against me, up to 20 years in prison. almost every journalist, every activist in belarus, can be sentenced to years. so criticize invasion to ukr

>> thank you for your interest for belarus and this topic in this pretty hard question for belarus andts organizations because we work a lot with ukrainian colleagues and we all understand the territory belarus is used for conducting the war against ukraine. but we see from the first day of the war, there a lot of protests from people against the war and the participation of belarus. arrested up to 1000 people around the whole country protesting against the war. and also there are even criminal cases when people started criticizing the belarussian authorities about their actions and participation in the war. i think the main problem is negotiations between putin and the belarussian president. the belarussianeople do not know what is the details of the meetings. we can't influence on the president -- there is no civility to express were opinion in belarus and influence on the situation and even any attempt to exercise your right in belarus now is strongly repressed by authorities. it started in 2020 and today the situation goes on worse and worse. amy: can you tell us about your colleag

i rise in support of the suspending normal trade relations with russia and belarus act. in this -- it is very important to highlight here that we do include belarus in this act. unfortunately, under the leadership of president lukashenko, belarus allowed russians to place ballistic rockets and shell fellow slavs, orthodox christians in ukraine, for weeks. people of belarus need to understand that their leader is part of what is happening in this genocide in ukraine. and we cannot create a loophole where putin is going to use belarus to funnel money through them. that is a very important legislation also to send a message to putin and his allies that the west is serious. it's not a temporary thing. they cannot just go kill a bunch of people, destroy cities, kill women and children and then go back and have business as usual. congress is sending them a very strong message. if they want to have peace, it better be soon. and they better get to the table and stop this insanity and killing of the ukrainian people. i also want to share some of the concerns that congressman shar

belarus, and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from massachusetts, mr. neal, and the gentleman from texas, mr. brady, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from massachusetts. mr. neal: thank you, madam speaker. i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. neal: thank you, madam speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. neal: madam speaker, yesterday morning, the congress heard directly from ukrainian president zelenskyy. he showed us the absolute horrors that russia is inflicting on the ukrainian people in full view of the world. and he pleaded for us to do more. with the legislation that stands before us at this hour, we intend to answer his call. ranking member brady and have been united in our desire t

they will be in the east and the armed forces of belarus will participate in these exercises.they have 10,000 km to go. to move there, the belarusian military work at russian training grounds every year, but the mass relocation to the far east will be carried out for the first time, and the experience of russian colleagues will help here. today, the russian federation and the republic of belarus must be ready to repel any threats, these are the most serious threats to the union state, and in order to eliminate them, it is necessary to take the most drastic measures. the joint russian-belarusian operational exercise of allied determination 2022 showed the armies of the two countries are reliably defending the fraternal peoples. don't miss out on central television. hit the ruble on sanctions, how our currency turned out to be russia’s main weapon and why in europe the decision to sell gas for rubles had the effect of an economic bomb, the great migration of ukrainians to europe why this could become a much bigger problem for the west than in russia putin joseph baden and the la

on the belarus border. what about belarus role and how ukrainians feel about that?st week, we know that the president of belarus had said that belarus has no plans to get involved in this conflict. recently as monday, ukrainian intelligence was suggesting that belarus troops were perhaps readying themselves to get involved. the "washington post" was quoting an american source saying something similar. now according to to the ukrainian negotiators. that's no longer the case. listen -- >> i wouldn't exaggerate the threat from belarus. we see information that there is some military activation and mobilization there. if you verify the information, you should know that as of now right now, there's no mobilization at the level that is necessary for belarus to be able to participate in combat operation. it does take part. this is an official information. >> so one other point that came out of this press briefing yesterday. the ukrainian negotiators say they have actually proposed a 30 kilometer non-conflict zone around all of nuclear power plants in ukraine and say the rus

tell me more about — leading to russian belarus.here _ leading to russian belarus. tell me more about what is there in - leading to russian belarus. tell me more about what is there in the - leading to russian belarus. tell me. more about what is there in the town because i know there has been big difficulties with basic things like water, electricity, food. how have you been getting through the days? by, you been getting through the days? few days ago there, the city was hit in main infrastructure areas, our stations, which provides gas in the city, but our administration is performing well and in a day, electricity came back and in most of the region and may be also a 12 or 24 the region and may be also a 12 or 2a hours, they managed to provide people with water and reaching and direct hits and our administration managed to bring to war in these terms. and may be, just for 12 hours or 2a, a master provide people with water, motivations and electricity stop by looking at the pictures of all the damage, to or three weeks ago, you ar

, potentially to drag belarus inside the war. has there been any outreach or attempt to try and keep belarus out of the war? you mentioned there have been missiles launched from within belarus into ukraine already. sec. kirby: we cannot confirm these reports. seeing the open source reporting on it, but we have nothing to corroborate that. i would just tell you that we have not seen any indications that belarusian troops or forces have moved inside ukraine. we did note that the president of belarus made comments the other day through state media that he felt it was important for belarus in forces -- belarusian forces to come to the relief of russian forces. that is the first time he has ever said anything about belarus perhaps getting involved, but no indications at this time that they have or that that is in the offing. >> separate topic, as these sanctions have gone into effect, you have started to see global food prices spike and there is concerns that this could raise additional risk of conflict in countries already facing hun

let's take a closer look at the relationship between belarus and russia and how belarus played a criticalthe size of kansas, sits west of russia, north of ukraine, and home to nearly 9.5 million people. belarus was once part of the soviet union, but gained its independence after the soviet union collapsed in 1991. in 1994, alexander lukashenko became the country's first directly elected president. in the years that followed yuk shenco steadily consolidated power and struck a neutral balance between russia and the west. all of that changed in 2020. that was the year that the presidential election, lukashenko claimed was a landslide victory, but it was an election that u.s. and european officials said was neither free nor fair. putin supported the efforts to crush demonstrations when hundreds of thousands of people took to the street to protest that disputed election. earlier this year, putin sent an estimated 30,000 russian troops to belarus for joint military exercises. following russia's invasion, lukashenko rammed through a constitutional referendum that got rid of the pledge that belar

it would be major escalation to fully bring belarus into there conflict.n for him, i think, you get the sense watching him talk, listening to him that he would prefer not to do that but he is in the pain now. i think he'll have to do what the kremlin wants him to do. >> western officials confirm a third general has been killed by ukrainian force which is is pretty extraordinary given the sense of the majy nature of the fighting on the ground. >> reporter: a third one. it was 20, the figure i hold. 20 officers at that level. generals in the combat zone at the moment. three of them, if this report is correct, have already been killed. 15% of the senior commanders in field which tallies with the general performance that we have been reporting of the russian armed forces which looks like between 8 and 12% some of the estimates that have come in to ukraine whether it's manpower or machinery. they thought and we have been saying that the russians thought it would be waung over that ukrainian military will throw in towel and they put in a fierce resistance. they

i've been to belarus and it's very awkward that belarus is a nato member. and i am wondering are there any , diplomatic channels available to pressure the belarusians into protecting that 40-mile area and for them to stand up their commitment as a nato ally? so i would look to you all for , those answers, and thank you, mr. chairman, for your indulgence. >> thank you. on the first part of the question, what we should do more, i appreciate very highly the leadership of the united states in terms of -- immediately after russian aggression, the sanctions which were launched definitely were something what russia didn't expect, and in cooperation with european allies. we have put up very strong first phase of sanctions which will affect russian capabilities to launch and keep up this aggression for some time. of course, we see and understand that russia has not changed any significant step right now in order to turn back or to recognize that they have miscalculated a lot. but in this regard, we have to add up our support to ukraine through military and weaponry

applied against belarus because belarus is— must be applied against belarus because belarus is complicitrus is complicit of the aggression that the russian - aggression that the russian federation _ aggression that the russian federation is _ aggression that the russian federation is committing i aggression that the russian. federation is committing and aggression that the russian - federation is committing and also belarus _ federation is committing and also belarus be — federation is committing and also belarus be used _ federation is committing and also belarus be used by— federation is committing and also belarus be used by russia - federation is committing and also belarus be used by russia to - belarus be used by russia to actually— belarus be used by russia to actually avoid _ belarus be used by russia to actually avoid some - belarus be used by russia to actually avoid some of- belarus be used by russia to actually avoid some of the i belarus be used by russia to - actually avoid some of the harshest impact _ actually avoid some of the harshest impact of— actually avoid some of t

there were massive protests in the streets of belarus, there had been mass sanctions leveled at belarusis the reason now you're seeing him so beholden to vladimir putin. the two were not as close as they are right now, but clearly he's doing this for survival, brianna. >> he's going to pay all the same price economically as are his citizens as well. bianna, thank you so much for that. really appreciate it. >>> he calls russian crude blood oil. a top adviser to ukraine's president zelenskyy is going to join us live next. and fear just over ukraine's southwestern border. could moldova be putin's next target? (music throughout) there's a different way to treat hiv. it's every-other-month, injectable cabenuva. for adults who are undetectable, cabenuva is the only complete hiv treatment you can get every othemonth. cabenu helps keep me undetectable. it's twinjections, given by a healthcare provider . it's oneess thing to think about while traveling. hiv pills aren't on my mind. a quick change in my plans is no big deal. don't receive cabenuva if you're allergic to its ingredients or taking c

of belarus. it could be a game | belarus. it could be a game changer. — belarus.er, imagine if- belarus. it could be a game changer, imagine if belarusj changer, imagine if belarus were to say we have never had good relationship with putin over the last decades, actually, i don't like where this is going, back off your troops, that would expedite putin's removal and that would be game changing in ukraine. just to pick up on the china point, of course at the un security council when there was a vote expected against russia, condemning its actions in ukraine, china didn't veto. but all these things that you are suggesting are going to take a little bit of time, aren't they?- are going to take a little bit i of time, aren't they?- and of time, aren't they? yeah. and --eole of time, aren't they? yeah. and people in _ of time, aren't they? yeah. and people in ukraine _ of time, aren't they? yeah. and people in ukraine are _ of time, aren't they? yeah. and people in ukraine are being i people in ukraine are being killed now while you're waiting for these four pillars, a

this is belarus shots from belarus yes, this is a republic, belarus, there were four local alcohol activiststhey were driven by their cravings. eh, to m-m understandable pastime, really tried to steal and quite successfully. and a rather large section of the railway track to hand it over for scrap, and in general, as far as i know, they were caught at the scrap metal collection point in order to reinforce these words. right now we will talk with yuri valeryevich, and hello to voskresensky, uh, good day's house. colleagues, for sure you, unfortunately, this story, the history of this photo is familiar. yes, please tell our viewers what really happened there. hmm well, really 2 years ago, four residents of baranovichi, apparently, under the influence of the motto of dementia and courage, dismantled a piece of the railway track and carried it to be handed over to a collection point for secondary raw materials, but i would like to say more broadly here. , which we are talking about, he is now the absolute leader in terms of fakes, uh, almost all posts are permeated with lies, and all because of

on the bor belarus. do they see any substance to the talks at this point? on the bor belarus. do they see any substance to the talks at this point? on the bor. do they see any substance to the talks at this point? on the bor. do they see any substance to the talks at this point? on the bor. >> reporter: we did not find out today, one a presidential adviser to zelenskyy and one head of the majority in power, president zelenskyy, they wouldn't give very specific details because they said they had agreed with the russians not to do these negotiations in public. and so at least they agree on that, so the russian position is quite firm. and so is the position as well and when they first did the first round of talks, the position was maybe not quite as strong. the russians believe they had the upper hand but they believe that the sanctions that had a large effect on the negotiating position of the ukrainians really helping to improve it. they also said that the resistance from the ukrainian troops on the ground have also improved their negotiating position and they think that it wou

the bannin: from the rpc and belarus. the banning of _ from the rpc and belarus.ycotts. itruiheh and a threat of mass boycotts. when ou have and a threat of mass boycotts. when you have governments _ and a threat of mass boycotts. ewen you have governments behind the scenes speaking to their national paralympic committees and threatening to withdraw them from these games, we have got to be really careful because the moment one nation potentially withdraws because they are unhappy with the decision, then it's snowballs and before long, the games aren't viable. ., ,., before long, the games aren't viable. ., viable. the ipc also said the situation — viable. the ipc also said the situation in _ viable. the ipc also said the situation in the _ viable. the ipc also said the situation in the athletes' - viable. the ipc also said the . situation in the athletes' village had escalated, meaning ensuring the safety of athletes had become untenable. forthe safety of athletes had become untenable. for the ukrainian delegation, who consider it a miracle they have made it to be

and i have a taste of belarus in belarus knows how to appreciate what is expensive here, they don’t confuse a lot for a happy life. here, the ecstasy of luxury is only an artistic historical convention, and simplicity is truly valued in everything. here diligence and perseverance are priceless. this is what i'm taking with me. well, not a little here to unravel it is necessary. everything, here it is. so that there are no nodules in life, there are there is always a chance. the main thing is to try. these are exactly all our releases you will find on the media platform . download the application or go to the site smotrim.ru. this is the oldest mosque in the caucasus and the middle east dozens of times. it was destroyed and each time it was restored again and again in all its splendor, because neither warriors nor even natural disasters have power over beauty faith, hope and true love. good morning. i am in azerbaijan azerbaijan is a country in the eastern part of the transcaucasus, in which they have always treated their own with special trepidation heritage and land, it is believed, for ex

we also contend belarus -- we also condemn belarus. we also condemn russia's raising of the nuclear alert level. we call on russia to de-escalate and return to the previous alert level and to avoid any action that would risk the safety or security of the nuclear power plants in ukraine. russia bears full responsibility for this aggression. and the resultant disc direction -- destruction. we ask russia to cease its military operations immediately and to withdraw all forces from the ukraine. we call on russia to engage in dialogue with a view to a diplomatic solution. russia's actions violate international law and are in breach of big u.n. charter -- as well as russia's commitment to respect ukraine sovereignty and territorial sovereignty. this is the biggest aggression in europe since the end of the second world war. it follows a similar russian aggression against its neighbors in 2008 and 2014. we underscore are from support of the sovereignty of georgia and the republic of moldova and we are monitoring the situation in the region. thi

without independent — lukashenko of belarus. without independent and _ lukashenko of belarus. without independent and free ukraine, | independent and free ukraine, there is no independent and free belarus. i really admire ukrainian nation. from the very beginning we supported ukrainians in theirfight beginning we supported ukrainians in their fight for freedom and i would like to have my belarusian nation to be as strong and powerful as ukraine is right now.- as strong and powerful as ukraine is right now. you think lukashenko — ukraine is right now. you think lukashenko will— ukraine is right now. you think lukashenko will send - ukraine is right now. you think. lukashenko will send belarusian lu kashenko will send bela rusian trips lukashenko will send belarusian trips into ukraine? i lukashenko will send belarusian trips into ukraine?— trips into ukraine? i hope so because if— trips into ukraine? i hope so because if they _ trips into ukraine? i hope so because if they sent - trips into ukraine? i hope so. because if they sent someone trips into ukraine? i hope so - because

and belarus.nd belarus. a ban could have led to a legal— russia and belarus. a ban could have led to a legal challenge, _ russia and belarus. a ban could have led to a legal challenge, but - russia and belarus. a ban could have led to a legal challenge, but many i led to a legal challenge, but many are not happy. last month ukrainian used his moment in the spotlight to appealfor peace. today used his moment in the spotlight to appeal for peace. today from used his moment in the spotlight to appealfor peace. today from his home outside kyiv, he told me of his dismay at the decision. it is home outside kyiv, he told me of his dismay at the decision.— dismay at the decision. it is sad, for me it is _ dismay at the decision. it is sad, for me it is heartbreaking. - dismay at the decision. it is sad, for me it is heartbreaking. what| for me it is heartbreaking. what messa . e for me it is heartbreaking. what message do _ for me it is heartbreaking. what message do you _ for me it is heartbreaking. what

assess a repositioning into belarus.have an exact number for you, but that's our early assessments. none of them, we have seen none of them reposition to their home garrison, and that's not a small point. if the russians are serious about deescalating, that's their claim here, they should send them home but they are not doing that, at least not yet. that's not what we are seeing. and i don't know, you know, our assessment would be as we said yesterday that they are going to refit these troops, resupply them, and then probably employ them elsewhere in ukraine, but i don't believe that at this stage we have seen the refitting going on, you know w any specificity. on the reports of putin not being advised, i'm going to be careful not to getting into intelligence, but we would concur with the conclusion that mr. putin has not been fully informed by his ministry of defense at every turn over the last month. now, i want to caveat that. we don't have access to every bit of information that he's been given, or every conversation

i wonder what is this going to mean for belarus, is this potentially going to destabilize belarus? could there be backlash there? >> we call him or he's called often the last dictator in europe. i would say there are two dictators in europe now, vladimir putin and little vladimir putin and that is alexander lukashenko, he's physically much taller. this puts them now at the peril of getting sanctioned by the west, and the united states in particular. that is some of the leverage, the u.s. has now, to warrant belarus and lukashenko that, listen, if you join this war, you are just as culpable and then will be on the receiving end of the sanctions, the heavy sanctions that we have leveled against russia. but how much say lukashenko has now given that he has vladimir putin to thanks for being in power, that is still debatable. i will say what is most alarming about that is last month, belarus gave up their nonnuclear status. so the question is will we start to see russia start to transport any of their nuclear armament facilities there into belarus. u.s. intel says they don't see that a

lukashenko allowed belarus to be used as a preparing ground.ernment has been bankrolled by moscow for many years. joining us now is sviatlana tsikhanouskaya, former presidential candidate for belarus and a key opposition figure. also joining us is maria tadeo from brussels. thank you for joining us. how would you describe belarus' involvement right now? are they bombing and occupying ukraine? >> let me correct you. lukashenko is not the president of our country. he lost the legitimacy in our country. but of course, we can say that he is controlling the situation. we see their our regular troops that could be sent to ukraine in the next few hours. our troops do not want to fight against ukrainians. i would appeal to them to refuse to go. many across the border changed sides and joined the ukrainian troops. we have seen many officers join independent units fighting alongside the ukrainians. maria: you have also said that lukashenko himself is personally sanctioned by european union. you said he has essentially given up the country into the hands

to try and drag belarus into the war. can the pentagon confirm this, and has there been any outreach to try and keep belarus out of the war? you mentioned there have been missiles launched from within belarusbe into ukraine already. >> yeah. we can't confirm these reports. seeing the open source reporting on it, tara, but we have nothing to corroborate that. and i would just tell you that we haven't seen any indications that belarusian troops or forces have moved inside ukraine. did note that the president of belarus made comments the other t day through state media, you know, that he felt it was important for belarusian forces to come to the defense of the rear of russian forces should they be attacked, the supply line route, if the you will. that's the first time that he'd ever said anything about a belarus perhaps getting involved. but no indications at this time aha they have or that that's in the offing. >> and separate topic, as these sanctions have gone into effect, you started to see globalled food prices -- globa

physical, geographically, they were in belarus. but the entire time that they lived in this place, it was never called belarus. it was the soviet union. russia is a country that embodies all of these cultures, now all of these cuisines that have left an imprint because of what happened during soviet times. darra: the soviet union at the height of its power was comprised of 15 different republics, and it was 1/6 of the world's land mass. a slogan of the soviet era was that the soviet union was a brotherhood of nations. and there were so many different countries, so many different languages, so many different ethnicities, and the idea was to bring them together. the way that played out in cuisine is that many of the specialties of the different republics found their way into russian cuisine writ large. because russia and the united states have had such a fraught relationship for so many years, a lot of people closed their minds to russian food. "that's enemy food." "that's also not good food." there are all these soviet stereotypes,

attacks from belarus in ukrainian air space to drag belarus in the war. a plane in the sky near belarus and saying that they fired at belarusian border forces to give belarus a chance to join the war. they said this is a provocation. the goal is to get belarus in the war with ukraine. this attack as the belarusian leader was meeting with vladimir putin in moscow. lukashenko said it's the ukrainians who are going to attack belarus. >> i will show you where an attack was being prepared. i brought maps with me. i will show you. if we didn't conduct a preventive strike on four positions six hours before the operation, they would have attacked belarusian and russian forces at the military drills. >> and as for the united states opinion in all of this, this is what the pentagon is saying. >> we haven't seen indication that belarusian troops or forces have moved inside ukraine, no indications at this time that they have or that's in the offing. >> the kremlin has not yet responded to ukraine's allegations for a false flag attack. as for ukrainian president zelen