Traditionally, the annual Address attracts attention abroad. Millions of eyes follow what the President will say. And now the foreign media actively comment on today's speech of the Belarusian leader.
The American magazine Newsweek reports that the President of Belarus urged Ukraine and Russia to start negotiations without preconditions. "We must stop now before escalation begins. I would venture to propose a cessation of hostilities, a declaration of truce," Alexander Lukashenko said during an address to the nation Friday, the magazine reported.
Australian ABC TV network informs viewers that the Belarusian President has stepped up talks with Russia to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in his country because there are plans to invade Belarus from neighboring Poland. Mr. Lukashenko said Moscow's plans to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus would help protect the country, which he said is under threat from the West, the Australian TV channel reported.
And the Canadian television network Global News notes that the Kremlin immediately responded to the call by the leader of Belarus (Russia's closest ally) for an immediate cease-fire without preconditions and for negotiations between Moscow and Kiev on a lasting peace settlement. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia has taken note of Alexander Lukashenko's comments and President Vladimir Putin will discuss them with him next week.
Israel's Jerusalem Post also reports that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has called for an immediate ceasefire and the start of talks between Ukraine and Russia for a lasting peace settlement. Lukashenko warned Ukraine against an expected counterattack, as this would make talks between Moscow and Kiev impossible, the newspaper reported.
