"On January 26, voting will take place in Belarus, which one would like to call presidential elections if there were grounds for it. For us, there is nothing unexpected in this act, and its results are, in principle, already known," said the speaker.
According to Tikhiy, Ukraine sees no prerequisites for resuming contacts with Lukashenko, and the question of recognizing his legitimacy is currently not relevant.
"We also stand in solidarity with the position of the EU member states, the USA, Canada, the UK, and other democratic countries regarding the lack of basic conditions in Belarus for conducting fair and transparent elections in accordance with OSCE standards," he emphasized.
Tikhiy reminded that a significant number of Belarusian citizens living abroad have effectively been deprived of their right to participate in the Belarusian elections.
The Ukrainian diplomat stated that it is evident that Lukashenko will continue to be an ally and accomplice of the illegitimate Russian president Vladimir Putin in his war against Ukraine, "which is happening contrary to the interests of the Belarusian people."
"We believe that both dictators will continue to simulate a vigorous struggle against the so-called threats from the collective West, which they use to intimidate their citizens and which have no basis," Tikhiy declared.
He also expressed gratitude to the Belarusians who, alongside the Ukrainian people, are providing a worthy resistance to Russian aggression, including with arms in hand.