Events

“Don’t pressure me the way it was done with regard to Abkhazia,” said the head of state.

“You’ve just said that you, Russians and Russian leadership, need a mediator like that. This is why you just don’t pressure me much on Crimea and the mediator will remain available as long as possible,” noted Alexander Lukashenko.

The Belarusian head of state did not rule out the possibility that some decisions may be made in the future. “But we determined our view on determination long ago. I’ve told you our view already. Except for minor things it was a topic discussed in secret negotiations with Putin. Back then I told him my view on Crimea directly, what I would have done and what had to be done, but excuse me but I cannot say anything about it today,” noted Alexander Lukashenko.

The Belarus President spoke in detail about the situation that emerged in the past with regard to the recognition of Abkhazia. He remarked that it may shed light on the issue of Crimea, too. According to the Belarusian head of state, it was obvious what kind of view on Belarus the West would have had if Abkhazia had been recognized.

“We presented President Medvedev with a list of what will happen if we recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Nearly the same things that are happening to Russia now only a way worse. I said this is what is going to happen, we will not have any foreign currency, we will be shut down on all fronts. Are you going to help me? Because the country is not going to survive on its own,” noted Alexander Lukashenko. “But if it is an important matter for you — Russia could have easily helped the way it turned out later, I don’t know why they had to put tension on us regarding that issue — I am ready, you are our allies. But are you ready to offer your shoulder?” continued the Belarus President. “They were not. They were not even ready to discuss it”.

“Russians were unable to support us in that situation. Because Russia would go against the West by supporting Belarus. Russia didn’t want to have a conflict with the West over Belarus,” explained the head of state.