Events

Lukashenko: Reopening of U.S. embassy in Belarus was discussed during bilateral talks

MINSK, 18 December (BelTA) – The Belarus-U.S. negotiations discussed the resumption of the U.S. Embassy work in Minsk, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said in his Address to the Belarusian people and Parliament during the second session of the 7th Belarusian People’s Congress on 18 December, BelTA has learned.

The Belarusian president was asked about the atmosphere of Belarus-U.S. negotiations. According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the range of issues discussed was very broad, and the conversation itself was cordial. Among the topics was the resumption of the work of the U.S. Embassy in Belarus.

“The point on which we did not reach agreement was the number of staff. They said: ‘The Marine Corps must guard the embassy, that is our procedure.’ Thank you, but no. We have Kubrakov [Belarusian Minister of Internal Affairs Ivan Kubrakov] to provide security. If necessary, we will involve Tertel [Chairman of the KGB General Ivan Tertel] and Khrenin [Belarusian Minister of Defense Viktor Khrenin],” the head of state said.

In addition, Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that U.S. representatives also raised the issue of hiring staff from among Belarusians. “[Ivan] Tertel was present at this meeting. I said: Ivan will give you the number of our employees,” he noted. “It was a very friendly conversation. John Coale [U.S Special Envoy for Belarus] is a personal lawyer and longtime friend of Donald Trump, a very seasoned man. That was the atmosphere. At times there were jokes. Americans like to joke, so I offered them one. But in that joke there was only a grain of humor.”

Speaking about the discussion of resuming the work of the U.S. Embassy, the Belarusian leader stated that its activities must not lead to a repeat of the 2020 events. “We do not want the American embassy, or that of any other country, to become a breeding ground for such unrest. We already endured this in 2020. Those who had their legs broken, who were beaten in the streets, must know that I remember it all. Therefore, we will not allow ourselves to make further mistakes or, God forbid, repeat 2020,” Aleksandr Lukashenko assured.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks