Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks during a meeting with foreign correspondents, in Minsk, Belarus, July 6, 2023. (PHOTO / FILE / AP)

MINSK - Belarus will not participate in the armed hostilities in Ukraine unless Ukrainians cross the state border, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday.

Lukashenko told the media in an interview that if Ukrainians do not cross the Belarus-Ukraine border, Belarus will never join the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but they will always help Russia.

The Belarusian president also denied reports that Moscow allegedly persuades Minsk to participate in its special military operation in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Lukashenko said that the conflict in Ukraine could have been avoided, and it is still possible to end it.

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Any peace negotiation should be proceeded without pre-conditions, he added.