--- title: "Lukashenko: Trump should not dictate Ukraine's leadership" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/lukashenko-trump-should-not-dictate-ukraines-leadership" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/lukashenko-trump-should-not-dictate-ukraines-leadership" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/lukashenko-trump-should-not-dictate-ukraines-leadership.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/lukashenko-trump-should-not-dictate-ukraines-leadership" category: "Politics" area: "Ukraine" published: "2026-10-16T20:45:32.335Z" source_reported: "2026-10-16T20:02:00.000Z" updated: "2026-10-16T20:45:32.335Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 57 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-10-16T20:40:34.175Z" --- # Lukashenko: Trump should not dictate Ukraine's leadership *Belarusian president states Ukrainian people must decide their leader, not US president* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claims attributed to named body (Belta) and two independent outlets corroborated. - Craft 57 of 100, higher is better. Reporting includes quotes from affected parties and states what happens next. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines promise more than the body delivers, with some sensationalism. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that US President Donald Trump should not dictate who leads Ukraine. - Lukashenko said the decision of who leads Ukraine rests with the Ukrainian people. - The Belarusian president noted that Ukraine cannot legally hold presidential elections under martial law. - Lukashenko predicted that peace in Ukraine would be achieved either this year or next year. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has stated that US President Donald Trump should not dictate who leads Ukraine. Lukashenko said the decision of who leads Ukraine rests with the Ukrainian people. He also noted that Ukraine cannot legally hold presidential elections under martial law, as Ukrainian laws prohibit national elections during its validity. Lukashenko suggested that President Zelensky's dependence on the United States could lead to a cutoff of intelligence and weapons. He advised that neither a person nor a state should become dependent on others, especially on great powers. The Belarusian president also predicted that peace in Ukraine would be achieved either this year or next year. ## Disagreement on Zelensky's future Novinky.cz reported that Lukashenko recalled Zelensky's past campaign promise to serve only one term and stated that promises should be kept, implying Zelensky should go to elections. However, Kyiv Post stated that Lukashenko argued Zelensky should face an election, while also rejecting Trump's attempt to dictate Ukraine's leadership. Wording from digests does not attribute these specific claims about Zelensky's term or election to any particular outlet. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated or centre-rated digests mention Lukashenko's prediction that peace in Ukraine would be achieved this year or next. None of the right-rated digests mention Lukashenko's statement that Ukraine cannot legally hold presidential elections under martial law. ## Who covered it Shares of the 11 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 18% (2) - Centre: 18% (2) - Right: 64% (7) 17 of 28 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-16T20:40:34.175Z. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 2 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-16T21:45:12.376Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The two left-rated reports focused on Lukashenko's rejection of Trump's interference in Ukraine's leadership. Novinky.cz reported that Lukashenko stated Trump has nothing to dictate and that the Ukrainian people will decide who their president will be. This report also noted Lukashenko's reminder of Zelensky's promise to serve one term and the legal impossibility of holding elections under martial law. Kyiv Post's report also highlighted Lukashenko's statement that it is not Trump's decision who Ukraine's president should be, while also mentioning his argument that Zelensky should face an election. ### Centre - The two centre-rated reports focused on Lukashenko's response to Trump's comments regarding Ukraine's leadership. ZN.UA reported that Lukashenko stated Trump should not dictate to Ukraine who its president should be. 15min.lt reported that Lukashenko responded to Trump's call for Ukrainians to elect a new president, stating it is not up to Trump to decide who will lead Ukraine. ### Right - The seven right-rated reports focused on Lukashenko's statements regarding Trump's comments on Ukraine's leadership and the timing of peace. Topwar.ru reported Lukashenko's statement that Trump should not dictate who Ukraine's next president is, adding that Zelensky should have left office. Anadolu Ajansı and Interfax.ru reported Lukashenko's statement that Trump should not dictate what Ukraine should do and that it is not Trump's decision to be the president of Ukraine, respectively. EADaily and vz.ru reported Lukashenko's prediction that peace in Ukraine will be achieved soon, either this year or next. News-pravda.com also reported Lukashenko's prediction of peace this year or next. Korrespondent.net reported Lukashenko criticised Trump for his statements about replacing Zelensky, stating Ukrainians must determine their own political future. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 1 - low: 1 - mixed: 4 - high: 5 - unknown: 17 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Marcus Oscarsson](https://marcusoscarsson.se/ukraina-maste-bestamma-lukasjenko-gar-emot-trump) — "Ukraine Must Decide" - Lukashenko Goes Against Trump - [wprost](https://wprost.pl/kraj/12474156/trump-chce-by-ktos-inny-zajal-miejsce-zelenskiego-lukaszenka-to-nie-jego-sprawa.html) — Lukashenko Surprised. This Is About Trump's Loud Words About Zelensky. - [ZN.UA Зеркало недели](https://zn.ua/ukr/WORLD/lukashenko-vidreahuvav-na-zakliki-trampa-shchodo-zmini-vladi-v-ukrajini.html) — Lukashenko Responds to Trump's Calls for a Change of Power in Ukraine - [tvrain.tv](https://tvrain.tv/news/lukashenko-trampu-ne-sleduet-diktovat-kto-budet-prezidentom-ukrainy-577301) — Lukashenko: Trump "Don't Dictate" Who Will Be the President of Ukraine - [Gândul](https://gandul.ro/international/aleksandr-lukasenko-critici-trump-zelenski-dependent-sua-21037065) — Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko Criticizes Trump for Pressure on Kiev, but Admits that Zelenski Depends on the US - [rmf24.pl](https://rmf24.pl/fakty/swiat/news-zaskakujaca-wypowiedz-lukaszenki-trump-nie-powinien-narzucac,nIdn,1022257) — Lukashenko's Surprising Statement: "Trump Shouldn't Dictate What Ukraine Should do." - [KSML.fi – Keskisuomalainen](https://ksml.fi/uutissuomalainen/9880216) — Lukashenka Says Peace Will Come Soon – "I Am Completely Convinced" - [Kyiv Post](https://kyivpost.com/post/87306) — ‘Not Trump’s Decision’: Lukashenko Says Ukrainians Must Choose Their President - [topwar.ru](https://topwar.ru/291791-lukashenko-trampu-ne-sleduet-diktovat-komu-byt-sledujuschim-prezidentom-ukrainy.html) — Lukashenka: Trump Should Not Dictate Who Is to Be Ukraine's Next President - [Actualno.com](https://actualno.com/europe/lukashenko-i-peskov-zashtitiha-zelenski-ot-trymp-video-news_2651257.html) — Lukashenko and Peskov Defended Zelensky From Trump - [Polsat News](https://polsatnews.pl/wiadomosc/2026-10-16/zdumiewajace-slowa-lukaszenki-stanal-po-stronie-zelenskiego) — Lukashenko Defended Zelensky and Criticized Trump's Words - [Novinky.cz](https://novinky.cz/clanek/valka-na-ukrajine-trump-nema-co-diktovat-lukasenko-prekvapil-prohlasenim-o-volbach-na-ukrajine-40603289) — Lukashenko Surprised: Trump Has Nothing to Dictate to Ukraine - [Unknown](https://eurointegration.com.ua/news/2026/10/16/7247895) — Lukashenko Said that It Is Not for Trump to Decide Who to Be President of Ukraine - [Unknown](https://glavcom.ua/world/world-politics/lukashenko-zajaviv-pro-visnazhennja-rosiji-ta-nazvav-termini-zavershennja-vijni-1149592.html) — Lukashenko Declared the Exhaustion of Russia and Named the Timing of the End of the War - [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/europe/-trump-shouldnt-be-dictating-what-ukraine-should-do-says-belarusian-president/4090939) — 'Trump Shouldn't Be Dictating What Ukraine Should Do, 'Says Belarusian President - [15min.lt](https://15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/pasaulis/lukasenka-nustebino-ne-trumpui-spresti-kas-vadovaus-ukrainai-57-2786648) — Lukashenko Surprised: "It's Not up to Trump to Decide Who Will Lead Ukraine" - [1news.com.ua](https://1news.com.ua/podii/lukashenko-vystupyv-proty-vymogy-trampa-pro-vidstavku-zelenskogo-nagolosyvshy-na-pravi-ukrayinskogo-narodu-na-samovyznachennya.html) — Lukashenko Opposed Trump's Demand for Zelensky's Resignation, Stressing the Right of the Ukrainian People to Self-Determination - [Javanews.al](https://javanews.al/lukashenko-trump-nuk-mund-te-diktoje-kush-e-udheheq-ukrainen-vendos-populli-ukrainas) — Lukashenko: Trump nuk mund të diktojë kush e udhëheq Ukrainën, vendos populli ukrainas - [Korrespondent.net](https://korrespondent.net/world/4920740-lukashenko-raskrytykoval-trampa-za-zaiavlenyia-o-smene-zelenskoho) — Lukashenko Criticized Trump for Making an Application to Change Zelensky. - [ТСН.ua](https://tsn.ua/politika/lukashenko-vziavsia-zaliakuvaty-ukrayinu-shcho-vydav-tsyoho-razu-3191507.html) — Lukashenko Began to Intimidate Ukraine: What He Published This Time - [EADaily](https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2026/10/16/mir-na-ukraine-nastupit-uzhe-v-skorom-vremeni-lukashenko) — Peace in Ukraine Will Soon Come - [belta.by](https://belta.by/president/view/lukashenko-mir-v-ukraine-budet-dostignut-esli-ne-v-etom-to-v-sledujuschem-godu-806261-2026) — Lukashenko: Peace in Ukraine Will Be Achieved, if Not in This Way, Next Year - [vz.ru](https://vz.ru/news/2026/10/16/1463806.html) — Lukashenko Predicted the Achievement of Peace in Ukraine Next Year - [Interfax.ru](https://interfax.ru/world/1122968) — Lukashenko Noted that It Was Not Trump's Decision to Be the President of Ukraine. - [Life.ru](https://life.ru/p/potom-budet-nevozmozhno-lukashenko-predupredil-ukrainu-o-posledstviyah-otkaza) — "Then It Won't Be Possible": Lukashenko Warned Ukraine About the Consequences of Giving up Peace in 2026-2027. - [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/10/16/2670730.html) — Lukashenko: Peace in Ukraine will be achieved next year, if not this year - [reform.news](https://reform.news/mir-budet-esli-ne-v-jetom-godu-to-v-sledujushhem-lukashenko-zajavil-ob-istoshhenii-rf) — “There Will Be Peace. If Not This Year, Then Next year.” Lukashenko Announced the Exhaustion of the Russian Federation - [Unknown](https://nv.ua/ukr/opinion/tramp-proti-zelenskogo-chomu-bud-yakiy-prezident-vidstoyuvatime-interes-ukrajini-i-ce-ne-vlashtuye-ssha-50650629.html) — Why No President of Ukraine Will Suit Trump ## Questions **What did Alexander Lukashenko say about Donald Trump's comments on Ukraine's leadership?** Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that US President Donald Trump should not dictate who leads Ukraine. He asserted that the decision rests with the Ukrainian people and that Trump has no right to tell Ukraine how to proceed. **Can Ukraine hold presidential elections under martial law?** According to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Ukraine cannot legally hold presidential elections while martial law is in effect. Ukrainian laws prohibit national elections during such periods. **What did Lukashenko predict about the war in Ukraine?** Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko predicted that peace in Ukraine would be achieved either this year or next year. He suggested that prolonging the conflict would make the situation more difficult for Kyiv. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/lukashenko-trump-should-not-dictate-ukraines-leadership. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Lukashenko: Trump should not dictate Ukraine's leadership", https://mediabias.news/politics/lukashenko-trump-should-not-dictate-ukraines-leadership