Fact check: Did Lukashenko apologize to Zelensky?

1. Summary of the results

There are directly conflicting accounts regarding whether Lukashenko apologized to Zelensky:

• Zelensky claims that Lukashenko did apologize during an early-war phone call, specifically about missiles being launched from Belarus's territory, stating "it was not me, Putin was launching missiles from my territory" ^{[1] [2]}
• Lukashenko's press secretary Natalia Eismont explicitly denies any apology took place, stating "we have nothing to apologise for" ^[3]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements are missing from the simple yes/no question:

• The alleged conversation was initiated by Lukashenko's son, not through official diplomatic channels ^[3]
• Even if the apology occurred, Zelensky rejected it outright, calling Lukashenko "the same murderer" as Putin ^[2]
• Belarus maintains its official support for Moscow's actions while simultaneously advocating for peaceful negotiations ^[4]
• According to Zelensky's account, Lukashenko suggested Ukraine could retaliate by striking a specific oil refinery - a crucial detail that adds complexity to the interaction ^[1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The simple question of whether an apology occurred masks several important political considerations:

• Belarus benefits from denying any apology, as it helps maintain its alliance with Russia and avoid appearing weak to its domestic audience
• Ukraine benefits from claiming an apology occurred, as it helps paint Belarus as a reluctant participant in the conflict and potentially drive a wedge between Belarus and Russia
• The timing of these statements matters - Zelensky's claim came in interviews with both Lex Fridman and other sources ^{[1] [2]}, suggesting a consistent narrative, while Belarus's denial came through official channels ^[3]