On February 25, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko cast his vote at the elections of deputies of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly and local councils
His son Nikolai came to the polling station together with the President. By the way, this year he voted for the first time himself.
While answering the journalists' questions after the voting, the head of state pointed out that the ultimate goal of the fugitives in any of their scenarios is the same - a coup d'état and seizure of power. "It doesn't matter whether they will play long or short, the goal is the same - Belarus must be turned around in the opposite direction. And in order to turn it around, it is necessary to overthrow the current government. It will be very difficult, I'm sure. Especially after a single day of voting, elections. Because we will elect absolutely reliable, intelligent people who understand what tasks our nation is facing. Therefore, none of the options, even the most radical, will pass in Belarus," said Alexander Lukashenko.
Alexander Lukashenko
The country has already drawn conclusions from the events of the past years, so now there is nothing to hope to implement the planned scenarios, the President is convinced. "But they will try. They consider themselves strong, puffed up their cheeks, bloated: We are so big. And here is some Belarus, we have to trample it and move closer to the east, to resources, closer to Moscow. We understand that. "
According to the President, Belarus, together with Russia, is considering different scenarios and counteracting them. "We will always be united with Russia. In such a situation we can resist any opponent," said Alexander Lukashenko. - Because the current world is a force, only force is understood. If we fight for democracy and some ephemeral freedom - you have seen that there is no freedom, no democracy there, and those who have been planting it on us, see what kind of "democracy" they have.... So we need to see our goals, our interests, to be sincere, to pursue a policy of justice. Then it will be the unity of our people. Not without the fact that someone will crawl out from under the plinth and yell, but it happens in any society. Therefore, all these scenarios are impossible. We all see it perfectly well. You don't even have to worry. "
Regarding the recent increase in provocations and growing activity on the borders with Belarus on the part of its western neighbors, the journalists specified whether there was something that was not yet known to the general audience. "In order for us to counter, we have to inform people. Our society must be absolutely informed," the head of state explained. At the same time, he noted, there is no aim to create tension, to stir up society, but on the contrary, in this way the authorities warn people to be informed, not to give in to provocations, to resist them. "If we hide from you, we will not succeed in terms of joint confrontation and preservation of peace and tranquility on the Belarusian land. That's why we inform you even about the extreme options," said the Belarusian leader.
As an example, he cited a recent story, when he publicized the plans of fugitives to "defeat" Russia, to give the western territories of Belarus and Ukraine to Poland, while Belarus I s supposed to increase at the expense of Russian lands. "It was our opposition who dialogued with the Americans and I took the quote directly from this material. I found it necessary to inform the society about it to show what the fugitives are worth," said Alexander Lukashenko. Another example is publicized plans of the fugitives to seize a small town, in particular, Kobrin and Malorita were named. "Seize a small town, declare power, everyone will recognize this power, the authorities will turn to NATO, troops will be brought in," - said Alexander Lukashenko.
Alexander Lukashenko answered the question whether he will go to the next presidential election.
"I'll go, I'll go, I'll go. Tell the fugitives that I'll go! And the more difficult the situation will be, the more they will stir up our society and you, among others (believe me, this is very important for me - no responsible President will abandon his people, who followed him into battle), the more they will stress you, me and the society, the faster I will go to these elections. Don't worry, we will do it the way it is necessary for Belarus," the head of state said.
Alexander Lukashenko is convinced that leaving the presidential post in such a difficult and uncertain period will be tantamount to betrayal.
"There is still a year before the presidential election. A lot of things may change. Naturally, I and all of us, the society, will react to what changes will take place in our society and in what situation we will approach the voting in a year," Alexander Lukashenko added.
The head of state drew attention to the calm situation during the elections in Belarus. There are no clashes and rebellions or even attempts to do so. "We have not seen and will not see it, because we know how to draw conclusions from our mistakes. We see our mistakes and draw the appropriate conclusions," said the Belarusian leader.
Another question to the Head of State concerned the prospects for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine and the emergence of new grounds for this. "There are more than enough grounds. You see how events are developing in Ukraine - they are developing badly," the President said. At the same time, it is not only about the situation with Avdeevka, he noted. "Everything would have been solved with Avdeevka long ago, if the Russians had fought like in the Patriotic War - hundreds of thousands of people abandoned, no matter how many die. I know exactly how carefully and cautiously the Russian military and President Putin have to work," said Alexander Lukashenko. - He always says to me: "It's a pity for people. We could have done it faster, but a lot of people will die. It's not about Avdeevka, other points, but it's all about the fact that a lot of people will die."
"I see that the Russians have taken a very serious course towards a peaceful resolution of this conflict, especially now. We do not want to throw people into the scorcher," the President emphasized.
However, the opposing side, Ukraine and its allies, believes that since they are "big" and have a large GDP, they can't lose the war, said Alexander Lukashenko. "Although that's not how it should be assessed. That's not how it's all assessed. It is the people's determination and material resources, reserves," the head of state said. - Who has more? Russia. It is in the ground. And America and Europe have the euro and the dollar, which they print, but it will all collapse, it's all paper. But Russia has developed its military-industrial complex, they produce a huge number of weapons.
In this regard, the NATO members should think about how Russia will then use the huge amount of the most modern ammunition and other weapons, which is now produced, said the Belarusian leader. "So think with your head. Stop now. There is an opportunity to negotiate. Denazification, demilitarization and so on are just terms. This is all decided at the negotiating table. This is politics for now. But if the West will "help" Ukraine as it is doing now, Ukraine's days are numbered. Volodya Zelensky should understand this clearly," the head of state emphasized.
According to him, the Ukrainian military understands this. Especially since they see how many people are dying: "They throw unprepared people, people go as if to slaughter, they realize that it is a one-way ticket. And there is very, very much this kind of information."
"If the Ukrainians don't negotiate with Russia now, they will completely lose Ukraine," said the President of Belarus. - As soon as Ukrainian soldiers run away now or simply stop fighting, the Poles will seize the western part of Ukraine (which is unacceptable to us, we will be on the side of the Ukrainians here), and Russia will cut off the southern part up to Transnistria. What will be left, just Kiev?"
Alexander Lukashenko is convinced that now it is necessary to negotiate in order to preserve Ukraine. "And then... It has already been said, many people know (and in the West) that the Russians have agreed to give the eastern lands to future generations for consideration - they will hold a referendum: if you want to live in Ukraine, you will live in Ukraine, if you want to live in Russia, you will live in Russia. This is a retreat," the head of state said. - Crimea is Crimea, it is Russian land, Russian territory, that is what the Russians believe. And the West agrees with this too.
It is at the present time, according to the President, that there are very many reasons for negotiations, and it is necessary to move in this direction.
The head of state reminded that there were different stages in the relations between Belarus and Russia - sometimes there were serious disagreements between the countries. But the President of Belarus said even before the conflict in Ukraine that everything can happen in economics and politics, but common security for Belarus and Russia is sacred. "There will come times when we will stand back to back against each other and defend ourselves," warned Alexander Lukashenko.
However, Russia did not take these statements of the Belarusian leader seriously at that time: they say that the country has enough long-range missiles to defend itself without the support of Belarus. "It was said to my eyes. I calmly endured it. As a historian, I'm telling you: the most acute issues were solved here, Belarus was in the epicenter. What has changed? Nothing. And then I warned Russian politicians about it," added Alexander Lukashenko.
At the same time, the President emphasized that Belarus and Russia should remain two sovereign and independent states. They can create a unique and powerful union. "Today, to say that 'Belarusians are on their knees', 'Belarus is facing Russia, tomorrow we will include it in Russia' - even you, working in Russia, would never vote for it," the head of state addressed the representative of the Russian media.
Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that neither Russia nor Belarus would support the unification of the two states. Such a step will do no good and will only make things worse. "We need to step by step, step by step, calmly, evolutionarily solve the problems we face," said the Belarusian leader.
The President reminded that many issues in the Belarusian-Russian relations have disappeared by themselves with the sanctions. Belarus has become more active in the neighboring market, while its products turned out to be just right for the eastern neighbor. "The world has changed, and we have become in demand for each other. That is, there is a problem - we are solving it. There is no need to get ahead of ourselves," said Alexander Lukashenko.
"As for free trade zones and the EAEU, we are considering all applications and proposals," the head of state emphasized. - There are many of them, you see that both Iran and Arab countries are eager to have free trade zones with us in order to trade more freely. Therefore, we are open to this. Sometimes, it happens, and some ambitions, absolutely fair ambitions..."
"Let's say China. Why have a free trade zone there, if there is the SCO - a broader organization, where one could have a free trade zone like the EAEU, borrow it," said Alexander Lukashenko.
He drew attention to the fact that the system of power in Armenia is so organized that the issue of CSTO membership should be decided in the parliament: "Pashinyan can't make a decision there, whether to enter or leave. Parliament makes the decision there. I think there are most sensible people in the Armenian parliament. There can't be any offenses against us, against the CSTO".
The head of state noted that this topic has been discussed many times and it should be understood that Azerbaijan is not a foreign country for all CSTO members. "There are many Muslim countries in the CSTO. You also understand this. Hence, partly, the corresponding position. And thirdly, did Armenia want us to get involved in Armenia's war with Azerbaijan? So this war would still be going on and thousands of people would have died," said the Belarusian leader. - I believe that Azerbaijan and Armenia, unfortunately, came to the right solution of the issue through the war. Armenia (and they recognized it) occupied five or six districts of Azerbaijan.
The President recalled that he actually played the role of a mediator between Baku and Yerevan in the attempt to peacefully settle the territorial dispute, and the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev not only called for a peaceful settlement, but also offered financial support to the Armenian side for a number of years: "I was an unwitting mediator - I traveled from Baku to Yerevan and conveyed these signals. Up to the investment of billions of dollars into the Armenian economy. Azerbaijan is a rich country. There were a lot of proposals to solve this issue amicably".
Nevertheless, in previous years, the Armenian leadership did not go for a peaceful settlement and problematic issues accumulated. "It all accumulated and collapsed on Nikol Vovayevich Pashinyan, on his government. He has little to blame for what happened. But this problem had to be solved. Moreover, the Azerbaijani regions occupied by Armenia were a desert. In the most beautiful place, warm, cozy, where people could live. More than a million Azerbaijani refugees - a huge burden on Azerbaijan and many other problems," the head of state noted.
"Well, we've had enough. What should have been our position? Armenians are our relatives, our dear people. Is Azerbaijan a stranger? That's why we got into such a situation. And there was no reason for the CSTO to join this conflict. There was absolutely no reason for us even," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko.
He also drew attention to Armenia's contacts with France. "They communicate with Emmanuel Macron in France all the time. The statements followed - France will help with air defense systems, in the military field, and in the economy. In general, they will take Yerevan on their shoulders and carry it. No one will carry anyone. You see what is happening in France. That is why politicians in Yerevan should wake up and not lose what they have," advised the President of Belarus.
He cited Georgia as an example: "Thank God, normal relations are being established first of all with Russia, with us, the economy is rising. The West has tasted light bread. Americans have already forgotten about Georgia. As soon as Georgians started to move in the sense that this is their independent and sovereign country, the West started to put pressure on them. Including, first of all, the United States. So we should draw the appropriate conclusion. No one in the West needs them. There are thousands of problems there."
"Today, for example, in the US, Biden will support Ukraine, Armenia and so on. Tomorrow the power will change and Trump will say, 'Look, I don't know you. My friends, this is the first time I see you!"" - the head of state added.
He once again urged not to lose what you hold in your hands: "It's easy to get out, but it will be difficult to get in. Georgia is an example again. Well, it left the CIS and all structures. Is it better for it? No. It is desirable to return. And it is always more difficult to return. There is a loss of face and other things.
Alexander Lukashenko advised the Armenian side not to hurry and not to make any sudden moves. "Don't be in a hurry. Don't go out, don't freeze something. Well, if you don't like something, well, don't come," he said. - Time changes a lot of things. And the situation will change around Armenia, Azerbaijan. It will change in the world in general. Therefore, such compact small states as Armenia, Belarus and others should not make any sudden moves. The ice is thin - we will fall through, no one will reach us. On the contrary, they will push us with a foot, so that we will suffocate there. Armenians should not be in a hurry. It seems to me that Nikol Vovayevich just hurried up and made an emotional statement".
