Russia is categorically against the deployment of peacekeeping forces from European states to Ukraine, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday.

In an interview with American blogger Mario Nawfal in Minsk, the Belarusian leader said Russia will never agree to EU peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. "At least, this is Russia's position today. Especially since the leadership of the European Union, primarily Germany and France, is taking a very aggressive position at the moment," Lukashenko said.

Increasingly alarmed that U.S. security priorities lie elsewhere, a group of European countries has been quietly working on a plan to send troops into Ukraine to help enforce any future peace settlement with Russia, the Associated Press has reported.

Britain and France are at the forefront of the effort, though details remain scarce.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that Britain would "play our part" in any peacekeeping role in Ukraine, but could only do so with some kind of backup from the United States.

On Thursday, Lukashenko also said that during his latest contacts with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader confirmed his readiness for negotiations to resolve the situation in Ukraine, including with the Ukrainian side. No one will resolve Ukraine's issues without Ukraine, the Belarusian president stressed.

Touching on a possible U.S.-Ukraine deal on rare earth metals, Lukashenko said this "deal may be alarming for Russia and most likely is alarming" if it goes beyond economic relations.

(With input from agencies)