Events

Lukashenko comments on seizure of Russian tanker by Americans

MINSK, 8 January (BelTA) - During a ceremony to present the Spiritual Revival awards in Minsk, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko commented on the seizure of a Russian-flagged tanker by the Americans, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that during negotiations with the Americans, he had warned not only the Belarusians, but also the Russians, that the United States might try to stage some kind of performance.

“I always told them that I would talk to them. But I also warned my elder brother [Russian President Vladimir Putin]. I spoke about it directly prior to this vile event [referring to developments around the USA and Venezuela]. I was wary it was just the theatrics from the Americans and the entire West. I was afraid they would try to play us once again. And today, I am absolutely convinced that this is the case. Why was it necessary to seize, just recently (yesterday, I believe) an empty Russian-flagged tanker? Why do they have to do this if they claim to want peace in Ukraine? Many thoughts arise after these events,” the head of state emphasized.

The president regretfully noted that the current global situation forces significant spending on strengthening the country’s defense capability. “Once again we have been convinced that we must be strong. We are increasingly compelled to spend money on weapons and training our military,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.

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