News & Events in Belarus

Cards on the table: truth about PMC Wagner, nuclear bomb, fight for peace in President’s Week

The work schedule of the Belarus president is always full of events. Aleksandr Lukashenko holds conferences and working meetings on the most topical matters concerning the country’s development, regularly visits the regions, goes on foreign trips and welcomes foreign guests, talks to reporters, signs decrees and laws. And even if there are no public events, it does not mean that the head of state does not work. It must be said that even when he relaxes, for instance, by playing ice hockey or chopping firewood, Aleksandr Lukashenko happens to find the time to give yet another instruction. All the decisions must be prompted by life, he likes to say.

The President’s Week project is intended for those, who want to keep up with the head of state, be up-to-date on the latest statements and decisions of the Belarusian leader.

How did Aleksandr Lukashenko manage to convince Yevgeny Prigozhin to stop PMC Wagner’s advance to Moscow? Why did Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin bring a nuclear bomb to a meeting with the president? What greater goals can Belarus and Russia achieve? What plan did Aleksandr Lukashenko offer to the world and primarily to neighboring countries? Where is the threat to the European civilization? And what is the Belarusian way?

A law formula that has been adopted in Belarus, the protection of national interests in media sphere, and important decisions for people – paid days off for periodic health examinations and a bonus for parents of many children. These and other things are covered by the latest episode of BelTA’s special project President’s Week.

MOSCOW IS BEHIND US. Why does Aleksandr Lukashenko see no heroes in PMC Wagner’s mutiny?

On 27 June Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko presented general’s shoulder boards to high-ranking officers. The solemn ceremony took place in the Palace of Independence. The event was a scheduled one but the composition was expanded. High-ranking officers of defense, security, and law enforcement agencies, special services, heads of mass media, political analysts, and reporters were invited to participate in it. The conversation was thorough and, most importantly, as sincere as possible. Answers were given to the questions of current interest that had been plaguing the society after the private military company (PMC) Wagner attempted to stage an armed mutiny in Russia and the Belarus president personally helped resolve the crisis.

The threat of a new global conflict

As he presented general’s shoulder boards, the president stressed that they go with the greatest responsibility for the future of the country. Contemporary Belarusians are lucky to be born and live under a peaceful sky. “Yet military people like us are well aware that life without war is the result of painstaking daily work,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized. “You are intelligent people. Almost all of you use social networks, read various critical articles that blame me for preparing for war. Every day for nearly 30 years you and I have been getting ready for war. Maybe that is why we live under a peaceful sky today.”

The president stated that the collective West has no intention of conducting peaceful negotiations. On the contrary, NATO is expanding, military potentials are being built up, and various provocations are being arranged at the border. “The threat of a new global conflict has never been as real as it is today. They are once again trying to destabilize our country, our entire region, to make people confused. They are pulling out all the stops to rock the boat and to use the turmoil in order to impose their own rules, establish their own order in which there will no longer be our countries and peoples,” he remarked.

“In other words, our generation has been put to the test. We have the mission to preserve peace that was achieved by millions of heroes, our parents and grandparents. And our Fatherland from Brest to Vladivostok. Land, freedom and our peoples that live here. Two countries with a common Fatherland. History remembers that Belarusians know how to defend their land. We have been and will be stronger than any challenges,” the president said.

Bringing the army to full combat alert

The president said: “I must say it was painful for me to watch the recent developments in the south of Russia. Many of our citizens took them to heart as well. This is because we share one Fatherland.

On the same day, on 24 June the head of state gave all the orders to bring the army to full combat alert. “Nobody even in these sniveling Telegram channels said anything against it. Not a single family. No wives, no children or relatives. Nobody. It took just half a day for the army, all the Armed Forces, including police and special units, to be brought to full combat readiness,” the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said that the self-exiled opposition had also started fussing. “They even managed to publish more calls and plans. I am talking about the self-exiled opposition. They said they were also ready to realize another scenario of an armed mutiny. They have to show results [to their Western curators] after all. The so-called Kalinovsky Regiment went crazy.”

After the ceremony to present shoulder boards to high-ranking officers the president shared details of how negotiations proceeded on 24 June and explained motives of his actions.

Negotiations using swear words and a peaceful outcome

Aleksandr Lukashenko said that after a conversation with President of Russia Vladimir Putin over the phone in the morning on 24 June he suggested he could help resolve the crisis situation. Channels of communication with the head of the private military company Wagner Yevgeny Prigozhin were established with assistance of the Russian side.

“The most dangerous thing, as I saw it, was not the situation itself, but its possible ramifications. That was the most dangerous thing. I also realized that a tough decision had been taken (Putin hinted at it in his address) in favor of elimination. I suggested that Putin should not rush to do it. I suggested that I talk to Prigozhin, his commanders,” the head of state said.

He said that at 11:00 Prigozhin picked up the phone although Vladimir Putin had warned Aleksandr Lukashenko that Prigozhin might not pick it up. “He was euphoric. Yevgeny was completely euphoric. During the first round we talked only in swear words for about 30 minutes. I analyzed it later. The number of swear words was ten times higher than that of normal words. Certainly, he said he was sorry and started telling me things in swear words. And I was thinking about what to say to him in order to start the negotiations. The guys had just come back from the frontline. They have seen thousands of their dead. The guys are extremely dissatisfied. Particularly commanding officers.”

Several rounds of negotiations took place during the day. Preventing casualties and violence, particularly against the civilian population, was the key condition set by Aleksandr Lukashenko.

The president managed to convince Yevgeny Prigozhin that his initial demands to surrender Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian army Valery Gerasimov to PMC Wagner and to arrange a meeting with President Vladimir Putin were simply unreal in that situation.

“I was trying to convince him for a long time. And in the end I said: ‘You know, you can do anything you want. But don’t take offence with me. A brigade has been prepared for redeployment to Moscow. We will defend Moscow like we did in 1941. You read books. You are an educated and smart person. Because this situation affects more than Russia. Not only because it is our Fatherland. But because, god forbid, if this turmoil had spread across the entire Russia and there were colossal prerequisites for it, we would have been next’,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

At the same time the president understood that using force to resolve the problem was extremely undesirable. On the one hand, Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner fighters enjoyed some respect, including in the regular army. On the other hand, serious forces of about 10,000 people were amassed in order to protect Russia’s constitutional system during the advance of Wagner’s columns towards Moscow. Bloodshed with further unpredictable consequences could have happened.

Aleksandr Lukashenko told Yevgeny Prigozhin: “You will be crushed half-way there like a bug. Despite the fact that army units are engaged on the relevant frontline (Putin told me about it for a long time). I told him to think about it.”

It has been already noted that several rounds of negotiations were held and the situation was resolved closer to the evening: “At five in the evening he called me and said: ‘Aleksandr Grigoryevich, I accept all your conditions. But... What shall I do? If we stop, they will start slaughtering us'. I said: ‘They won't do this. I guarantee it. I'll take care of it’. I was in contact with the leadership of Russia. The FSB was mainly dealing with this issue. With [the FSB chief Alexander] Bortnikov. I urged them not to do it. Bortnikov is a smart person. He said: ‘Aleksandr Grigoryevich, I'm not a fool, I understand what could happen.’”

“I was pressed for time as a defense line had already been built 200km from Moscow (Bortnikov informed me about it). Everything was ready (Putin told me about it in the evening), just like it was in the war times. And cadets… The police, some 1,500 officers, were also in reserve. They gathered a lot of military personnel in the Kremlin and near the Kremlin,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “I talked to Putin in the evening. I asked him once again to stick to the agreement. He said: ‘I will do everything I promised.’ He kept his word. The turmoil was prevented in this manner. Dangerous events that might have taken place were reversed. Security guarantees were provided.”

No heroes

As he was telling his story, Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized several times that neither he nor Putin nor Prigozhin should be portrayed as heroes.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Because we had failed to anticipate this situation. We had let it get away from us. And then when it started spiraling out of control, we looked at it and thought that it will go away on its own. Both Putin and I did. But I did to a lesser degree, frankly speaking. But nevertheless, the situation didn’t go away. And virtually two people, who have been fighting on the frontlines, clashed with each other. There are no heroes in this situation. I’m telling you this sincerely. It’s Putin’s and mine fault that we didn’t take action in time. Therefore, no one here considers himself a hero. Indeed, we stopped the bad development of events. Perhaps a monstrous one.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko also talked about Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu: “Then again I know these things. I was constantly immersed in this cauldron. I know Shoigu’s work. He sometimes gets unjustified criticism. Certainly, I cannot reveal what we’ve talked about to mass media. We had very serious negotiations. General [Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor] Khrenin has met with him more than once. We calmly supported him with what we could (and we could do a lot) and we have accomplished a lot. And Shoigu has done a lot in this regard. I mean he found his place where he can do something.”

“Yevgeny Prigozhin... He can be understood in this regard. He is similar to Shoigu (they have similar characters). Very impulsive. That’s how it began,” he added.

The arrival of PMC Wagner personnel in Belarus

Aleksandr Lukashenko also commented on all kinds of information that appear in mass media in response to this situation, including all kinds of information leaks and speculations. The president confirmed the presence of the PMC Wagner boss in Belarus: “The security guarantees that he [President of Russia Vladimir Putin] promised yesterday have been provided. I see that Prigozhin already flies aboard this aircraft. Yes, indeed, he is in Belarus today. As I’ve promised, if you want to spend some time in our country and the rest, we will help you. Naturally at their expense.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko responded to rumors that the construction of a camp for housing PMC Wagner fighters has allegedly begun in Belarus. “We don’t build any camps for now. But if they want, we will accommodate them. As far as I can see, they are looking at various territories. Feel free to set up tents. But for now they are in their own camps in Lugansk. Prigozhin called me yesterday and told me that some fighters will sign contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry and [Russian Defense Minister Sergei] Shoigu. But he said the most important thing is that my guys have not been to their homes for 6-12 months already. And it was important for me to strike a deal with Putin to make sure he will leave them alone. He made the promise and he honors it. They want to go to their families. Well, be my guest,” the president pointed out.

“Putin did great. He told me yesterday that those, who don’t want to sign the contract and don’t want to fight, can quit,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

He once again made it clear that no camps are being built for Wagner personnel in Belarus. “We offered an abandoned army facility to them. It has a fence and everything else. Feel free to set up tents. We will help you how we can. They still have to make up their minds on what to do,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.

Aleksandr Lukashenko responded to rumors that the arrival of Wagner’s boss Yevgeny Prigozhin in Belarus is another mission orchestrated by the Kremlin. “They say that he [Prigozhin] is in Belarus upon the Kremlin’s orders in order to stage provocations ahead of the forthcoming NATO summit in Vilnius. No, we are not going to stage any provocations. If we needed a provocation, I have thousands of military personnel in the western direction. I can give an order and they will stage any provocation. But we don’t need one. Why would we need a provocation? What will it produce? Well, it may scare those in Vilnius and then what? We will get a response. This is why there is no need for a provocation,” the president stated.

Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that the private military company Wagner will not set up centers in Belarus to recruit personnel: “There is no need to open any centers to recruit personnel for PMC Wagner. I don’t think there will ever be any. I believe that right now we don’t need to open any recruitment centers and there will be none. If someone wants to join PMC Wagner, they will find a way.”

Nuclear weapons in Belarus

The president stated that a considerable part of the Russian nuclear weapons, which are supposed to be deployed in Belarus, is already in the country’s territory. “I asked for excerpts from mass media. Poles and other ones believe that Wagner Company will guard the nuclear weapons and so on. PMC Wagner is not going to guard any nuclear weapons. The weapons will have their guard and they already have their guard today since part of the nuclear weapons (I am not going to say how many), the larger part has already been moved to Belarus. It is surprising that they have failed to spot it. Russians and Belarusians guard them.”

The head of state added: “We are working together. We don’t have such experience. Russians provide maintenance. We help with the maintenance of these nuclear weapons. It turns out it is not a simple thing to do.” He stressed that claims concerning PMC Wagner are a regular leak: “No private military company is going to guard nuclear weapons. It is our job. And I am personally responsible for the security of the weapons. This is why we will never allow it. We have enough guys capable of guarding this facility together with Russians.”

The political analyst Aleksandr Shpakovsky participated in the meeting and asked Aleksandr Lukashenko to clarify how the tactical nuclear weapons will be used if Belarus is attacked and whether the Russian side will retain complete control of it. The head of state responded by saying: “If we take a deeper look at it, listen, do I need scrap in some storage facility? Well, these tactical weapons could be left in Russia. If necessary, we could transport them for another 500km for firing. Or an aircraft could be launched from Russia. And so on and so forth.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed he had insisted on the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus to deter any attacks. “No one has ever fought against a nuclear power. The key task right now… [Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, First Deputy Defense Minister of Belarus Viktor] Gulevich is present here, by the way. He, the minister, and the KGB chairman have been instructed to determine the algorithm for using these weapons. The key is our ability to use it at time of need when we are attacked. Which means when the Union State [of Belarus and Russia] is attacked as people in Russia have already learned how to say,” the president said.

“But it is not the point. Let’s assume (it is just an assumption) that we can use it upon Russia’s authorization. These are idle speculations: we are being used and the rest. They are nonsense. It cannot be like that. These are our weapons and we will use them [when it is necessary],” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.

Motives, conclusions, and lessons

Aleksandr Lukashenko spoke at length about his motives and the reasons for the deep involvement in the resolution of the crisis situation with PMC Wagner.

“If Russia collapses… I repeatedly say this to the heads of state at all meetings that if someone thinks that they will benefit from the fact that things in Russia are bad, forget it! My words: ‘If Russia collapses, we all will be buried under the rubble.’ If someone doesn’t understand this, they should think harder. Dig into history,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

Aleksandr Lukashenko called Russia the center of the common civilization. “No matter how much we might want to prove something. Yes, we are independent, we have our own plans, our own thoughts, and so on. But still this is our common civilization. East Slavic civilization. Why should we calmly watch as they are trying to break us? Both from the outside and from the inside. This is one big task we have to solve,” he said.

Another reason is the fact that Russia is an ally of Belarus. “We cannot betray Russia. Without Russia we would have ceased to exist in this complicated situation,” the Belarusian leader noted. He mentioned a number of advantages of trade and economic cooperation with Russia and noted that Vladimir Putin fulfills all the requests.

The president added that security, including the deployment of nuclear weapons in the country, is also largely ensured together with Russia. “The supply of nuclear weapons, which our people may not yet understand very well, is a guarantee of our security,” he said.

“But the most dreadful thing for us: if this turmoil had gained traction, the West would have immediately exploited it,” the Belarusian leader pointed out. “This is why there is no need to reproach me for helping and the rest. We see their stance.”

“The main thing, dear friends, is to make conclusions and learn lessons, as I always say. Conclusion: it would have been a war on two fronts. This is not Prigozhin. Prigozhin is the trigger. This turmoil would have spilled all over Russia. And that would have been a second front. As in the days of the civil war really... I repeat once again, and this is the most important conclusion: neither Putin nor Lukashenko are heroes. We did our job. But we missed a lot, or rather did not attach importance to things,” the president said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko urged Russian turbo-patriots not to call for some tough measures. On the contrary, everyone needs to cool it off, reduce tensions, and try to turn the page. The president is convinced that complicated times are ahead and the West will continue trying to undermine the situation from within.

Aleksandr Lukashenko cautioned everyone against deliberate or accidental attempts to drive a wedge between him and Vladimir Putin. “We are not stupid people. We understand all of it. We are experienced people. Just don’t do it. There is no need to start this trend. It will produce nothing good,” the Belarusian leader stressed. “Don’t set us at odds with each other. We did everything we had to do. We’ve been doing our job and keep doing it. Mind you, without ambitions. I have said it many times that Putin and I are the generation of politicians, who are about to go away. Neither he nor I have such ambitions anymore. But as long as we are presidents, we will defend what we have to according to the Constitution very rigorously and sometimes cruelly.”

Finally, while talking about his “mediation”, Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that he does not accept this point of view and has a dim view of mediation: “I am not a mediator. I am as much a participant in these events as President Putin. Because this is our Fatherland. I repeat this once again. Therefore, if someone there in Russia, and I hear this, talks about Lukashenko's mediation, there is no mediation! This is as much our problem, my problem, as the problem of President Putin and the Russians.”

UNUSUAL SOUVENIR. Why did the defense minister bring a nuclear bomb to a meeting with the president?

On 27 June Aleksandr Lukashenko held a working meeting with Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin.

“It might seem strange to start our conversation with what I am going to say. This mutiny attempt in Russia made us nervous, too. Our military did well. All our military, both police and border guards, did well. They were brought to combat readiness within half a day. This is our job, and this is how it should be done. Ahead of Independence Day I would like to thank the families of the military for their support. Not a single wife, not a single family complained. They showed their full understanding of the situation. They even had this get-up-and-go attitude. This is why I would like to express my gratitude to the wives, children, and families of our military. This is their reliable backup,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“We need to thank the unit commanders we had to call to arms, and to thank the wives and families of our servicemen. This is true unity. In no way, however, can we let our guard down,” the head of state added.

“We will surely do this, Mr. President. The most important thing I would like to note is that our people understand the importance of the tasks we perform. Our assessment of the situation was right. The response was immediate. Everyone was calm and cool-headed,” Viktor Khrenin said.

“The main thing for us is to make sure we do not let our guard down,” Aleksandr Lukashenko reiterated.

“This is our priority task. The Armed Forces training process prioritizes combat mobilization readiness, the Armed Forces’ development, and combat practice, taking into consideration the experience gained by our colleagues in the armed conflict. We also keep track of all other military activities elsewhere,” the minister said.

“There has been a lot of talk about the Wagner Group recently. People do not understand that we are taking a pragmatic approach here, too. If their commanders come to us and help us, this means new experience. They have hands-on combat experience. They are assault squads. They will tell us what is important right now. Putin told me during our previous phone talk that counterbattery fire is pivotal. So are drones. They have been through that. They will tell us which weapons worked well and which did not. They will tell us about offensive and defensive tactics. This experience is invaluable. We need to adopt this experience from PMC Wagner,” the president added.

“There is no need to be afraid of them. We keep our eyes open,” the head of state stressed.

Before delivering the report, Viktor Khrenin gifted an unusual souvenir to the commander-in-chief.

“Let me accomplish one mission...” the minister began.

“Did you bring a bomb?!” the president was surprised.

“That’s right. Let me give you a symbolic gift - the first nuclear bomb that was developed in the Soviet Union in 1949,” Viktor Khrenin said.

“But this is the old one. The modern one looks different,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.

“It is symbolic that it is kept here. This is a replica of the very first nuclear bomb that was developed in the Soviet Union,” the minister added.

“Our enemies should not think that we are obsessed with symbolism or that we are very happy about nuclear weapons. It is just a symbolic thing,” the Belarusian leader said.

CAPABLE OF MORE. How can the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia go beyond the limits of the Union State of Belarus and Russia?

The Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia became a traditional event in the calendar of important bilateral events a long time ago and the heads of state pay attention to it without fail. Just like his Russian counterpart Aleksandr Lukashenko made a video address to participants of the 10th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, which took place in the Russian city of Ufa.

According to the president, it is symbolic that the anniversary edition of the forum is taking place in Ufa, the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan, the region with a rich history and culture, located in the very heart of Eurasia. “I think the Russian side was right when it decided to expand the geography of the forum and arrange it in different regions of the Russian Federation. It helps make the most of the potential of these regions, showcase their economic capabilities. It is important for us that Russians living thousands of kilometers away from our country know more about Belarus, see clearly the prospects of Belarus-Russia partnership,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The greatest value

The president emphasized that Belarus and Russia had laid a solid foundation for bilateral cooperation. This foundation includes trade offices of Belarusian companies operating in various regions of the Russian Federation as well as retail chains that sell Belarusian products that are much loved by Russian consumers. Many important facilities on the territory of Russia have been built by Belarusian construction workers.

“Belarusian goods and competencies are in demand in Russia’s large cities, industrial centers, in the regions, including remote ones, beyond the Urals, in Siberia, Khabarovsk Territory, in Kamchatka,” the Belarusian leader noted. “Bashkortostan is no exception. We have long-standing, very constructive contacts with Ufa at the level of companies, organizations, public associations, scientists, art and culture workers, and education. Our relations have a history of several decades. To be more precise, it has not been interrupted since the days of the Soviet Union,” the Belarusian head of state said.

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the sides complement each other well in the supply of raw materials, component parts, and industrial products. They address the common task of promoting import substitution and technological sovereignty.

“Yet, the greatest assets are human relations, a common history, culture, mindset, a traditional view of the family, respect for elders, great prospects and support for young people,” the head of state said.

Uniqueness of the partnership

Solid relations with Russia and its regions help Belarus absorb punches of the West. “Even in the most complicated times Belarus and Russia kept promoting interregional contacts. It helped us survive amidst the collapse of statehood and the interruption of established economic ties after the disintegration of a great country. Now strong relations help us withstand a new attack from the West on all fronts: economic, political, ideological, information, cultural and other ones,” the head of state said.

In his words, the uniqueness of the partnership between the countries lies in the fact that from the very beginning the system of interaction between Belarus and Russia was built on the idea to ensure self-sufficiency of economic ties and technological sovereignty of the two states. “This advantage must be used as much as possible. This is what we are doing,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Decisions made by the presidents

The head of state highlighted the frequency of meetings at the level of heads of state recently. All issues are addressed promptly. “In fact, all the necessary decisions have been made by the presidents. The regions that directly have resources, both human, material and financial ones, have no obstacles to cooperation,” the president said. “A few years ago we used to argue trying to prove something to each other. In the current conditions, there is no need to convince anyone, neither in Russia nor in Belarus, of the advantages of our partnership.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that the responsibility of local authorities, the private sector and the society has noticeably increased: “And things got off the ground. Mutual trade in goods and services exceeded a record high of $50 billion last year. It is important that this year Belarus has already hosted 16 heads of Russian regions.”

A number of business meetings have also been held. Members of the Belarusian government led by the prime minister, regional governors have held many productive negotiations with the heads of Russian regions, and consistently work on the implementation of the agreements reached at the highest level.

Participation in the modernization of Russian sectors of the economy

Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that economy underpins all social processes and is the foundation of cooperation. The previous forums of regions alone resulted in commercial contracts worth a total of almost $5 billion. “Indeed, the trade figures are encouraging. But it’s too early to rest on our laurels. I am sure that we can do better. We need to increase our competitiveness by deepening industrial cooperation, to address issues of specialization, import substitution, primarily in microelectronics and other high-tech industries, to make the most of interregional trade, to develop transport and logistics corridors, and to find additional drivers to further integration processes,” the Belarusian head of state said.

“Belarus is ready to participate in the modernization of key sectors of the Russian economy, the creation of joint ventures. We have many ideas that can be interesting and relevant for Russian regions. These are cooperation proposals in agriculture, construction, mechanical engineering, woodworking, equipment supplies, production of component parts, food production, light industry, space exploration, pharmaceutics,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

According to him, science, culture and education are also important elements of Belarus-Russia cooperation.

Prospects of the forum and the union of the two countries

“Today the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia needs to step beyond the Union State format and intensify cooperation with the Commonwealth of Independent States, the SCO, BRICS, ASEAN and everyone who is willing to be friends and work with us,” the head of state said. “We must make the forum a center that generates interregional ideas, projects and initiatives.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko also stressed that the Union State of Belarus and Russia is not a private members’ club: “We are not against anyone. I will say more: Belarusians and Russians are interested in the development of the entire Eurasian region as a whole. We want all our neighbors to be economically successful. These are the most important conditions for the continent’s well-being and for peace in our common land.”

"If the Western European partners suddenly decide to support the principle of universal economic equilibrium and mutually beneficial cooperation, then we will not be against joint similar events. All the same, they will eventually return to cooperation with us,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

STRONG PRESIDENT, INFLUENTIAL PARLIAMENT. What law policy concept was approved in Belarus?

On 28 June the head of state signed decree No.196 to stipulate a law policy concept. The concept includes five chapters and determines the strategy to develop the country’s entire legal system, which has not only to regulate public relations but prevent possible challenges and threats in modern conditions.

The concept determines the notion of Belarus’ law policy, its goals, principles, and entities. According to the document, the law policy is scientifically justified activity of the state with involvement of citizens, public institutions for the sake of forming and developing all parts of the legal system.

The document stipulates national historical and cultural foundations of the legal system and tracks the evolution of the system’s development. Over the course of its history Belarus had to defend its independence, ensure security along the borders, and provide assistance to entire states and individual population groups. These processes have affected the mentality of Belarusians, which have always been known for tolerance, creativity, the rejection of aggression and outside pressure. It is important to preserve and multiply these best traits of the Belarusian nation, the document reads.

The concept reads: “Today the Republic of Belarus is a state built on the solid foundation of universal human values. It strives for peaceful coexistence, constructive dialogue, and mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries and regions. The fact is reflected in the national law.”

The document stipulates ideological imperatives, which are seen as the foundation of the law policy. State sovereignty and territorial integrity are the key ones. The other ones stem from them: national security, the rule of the people, social justice, and other ones. If the constitutional system is secured, then interests of citizens are secured.

The concept also lays down priority directions of development of legislation branches. As far as the legislation on defense and national security is concerned, it will be necessary to step up the protection of informational sovereignty, develop supranational standards and rules in the field of information security with a focus on promoting national legal interests. In the spheres of civil law, economic law it will be necessary to realize the principle of corporate social responsibility before the state, the general public, and citizens. As for legislation on the social sphere, it is necessary to shift the focus of legal control from state patronage to the establishment of partnership relations between the state, the society, and the citizens. It is necessary to establish mutually beneficial cooperation and raise the responsibility of every citizen for their lives, health, and prosperity.

The law policy concept keeps the trend in favor of unification and codification. There are plans for codifying laws and regulations in the sphere of environmental protection, investment legislation, and for systematizing the legislation in the sphere of intellectual property and other ones.

In accordance with the concept lawmaking work will proceed according to the formula “strong president, influential parliament, enterprising government, with the Belarusian People’s Congress playing the connecting role.”

The concept will allow updating and guiding all the legal processes from the development of legislation to science and education.

UNFESTIVE MESSAGE. What did Aleksandr Lukashenko tell fellow Belarusians and neighbors ahead of Independence Day?

Belarus marks Independence Day on 3 July. A solemn assembly is traditionally held in the Palace of Independence ahead of the holiday and the head of state makes a speech during the assembly. This year the assembly took place on Friday, 30 June.

Aleksandr Lukashenko thanked all the residents of Belarus for their work. Including people living in the countryside, workers of the manufacturing sector, those, who contribute to innovative and R&D efforts, those, who educate and nurture children, cure people and save lives, enrich the country’s culture, protect the peaceful sleep of citizens and defend the foundations of Belarusian statehood, secure interests of the country abroad.

“Our independence is secured by our daily work and our efforts to make Belarus prosperous. I keep saying that all the time. We don’t need more. By working hard we become stronger. And our strength is the guarantee for independence and peace in our native land. That’s our philosophy. That’s the whole point of the Year of Peace and Creation,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“We are gathered on the occasion of Independence Day ahead of all the festive events. Among other things it allows us to touch upon unfestive topics and address more than our people,” the president said.

The date of the celebration

Aleksandr Lukashenko reminded that on 3 July, the day Minsk was liberated from the Nazi invaders, Belarusians, who had been tormented by captivity, extreme torture, loss of their loved ones and families, came back to life.

“There is no and there can be no other meaning for this celebration. There is no and there can be no other day whatever descendants of the Nazi and their accomplices here may dream of. For us, genuine Belarusians Independence Day is the day that brings the Soviet nation’s victory over the fascist Germany closer,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

Fight of the current generation

The president reminded about accomplishments of war veterans and labor veterans and about the irredeemable debt the consequent generations have before the veterans. Their victory ensured peace for countries and continents for many decades to come.

“But this peace has exhausted its safety margin. Today it is our time to fulfill our historic mission. Now we are fighting for this peace. As you can see, we are fighting on the information front, economic front, and political front. No, not everyone can see and recognize this war. No, no shells explode and no bullets are fired during this war. But attempts are still being made to bring us to our knees and destroy us,” the head of state stated.

“Why does the West once again portray us as the enemy? They are afraid of us. Not because we are ‘aggressors’ and intend to attack and enslave someone. Our authority, self-dependence, and might of the Belarusian state are dangerous for them. In the end our example is dangerous for them. It is the most important thing. An example of the lack of an abyss between the rich and the poor, an example of social security for all citizens, an example of a healthy society and traditional values. And many other achievements of the Belarusian nation that appeal to common Europeans and Americans,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Poland and the Baltic states

The president noted that there is a world military and political crisis the history has not seen yet. But the West does not seek a dialogue to resolve it because the political class of Western countries is interested in clashes in Ukraine and in Donbass.

The European Union and the United States are now arming Poland at an accelerated pace. “This is creating another hotbed of tension, another staging point for aggression by the world’s most aggressive and unfortunately most powerful country - the United States,” the Belarusian head of state noted. In other words, Poland is being turned into another proxy testbed for weapons after Ukraine in the confrontation with Belarus and Russia. The Polish government should think with its own head. First of all, it should think about its people. Poles have been and are Slavs for the West. And the West treats Slavs as expendables. Learn history, neighbors,” Aleksandr Lukashenko warned.

According to him, the Baltic countries bordering on Belarus show suicidal determination to become a NATO strike force. “But apparently they are too small for that. They were assigned the role of minions and provocateurs,” the president noted.

A good neighborhood plan

At the same time the president drew attention to the human factor. “But the reality is that they are our neighbors. People that are similar to us live there. Therefore, despite the madness of politicians of these neighboring countries, we need to maintain at least a ‘bad peace’ with them. Our government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should offer a plan of good neighborhood and peace to them,” the Belarusian leader instructed.

“Once again we extend a hand to you in peace not because we are afraid of the opposition regiments you train. Their goals are insignificant and the plans are crazy!” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

A threat to the European civilization

Speaking about current tensions in the world and the region, about the trends and actions that cause concern, the president wondered whether Western politicians understand that they place Europe’s head on a nuclear guillotine with their own hands. “Do they seriously think that they will get away with a small sacrifice? If, god forbid, the worst war in history breaks out, it will be hot not only in Warsaw, Kiev or Vilnius. We, Europe as a civilization, will disappear. But they don't need it. Neither do we. Belarus and Russia are categorically not interested in such an outcome.”

On the contrary, Aleksandr Lukashenko called everyone to seek peace, cooperation, and collaboration to resolve global and regional problems. Starting with economic problems and ending with fight against extremism or climate change. “We need to cooperate and remember: no matter what military potential we build, no matter what technologies we develop, we are not stronger than nature. The pandemic has already put everyone in their place. Once again we seem to have forgotten that not everything depends on us. That we are sand in the universe, and our geopolitical games are dust. We must stop before it’s too late,” he remarked.

Decision-making centers

Despite genuine calls for peace, Aleksandr Lukashenko warned about readiness to give an adequate answer if statehood, independence, territorial integrity, and security face a genuine threat.

“Don’t test our Slavonic patience and your fate. It is now fashionable to talk about decision-making centers. So, we know the coordinates of these centers up to the millimeter. And I marked them clearly on military maps the day before yesterday,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.

“We should sit down at the negotiating table and start building a new security system in the region. I’ve been calling for it for a long time. And let’s create peacefully for the benefit of our nations,” the head of state said.

The Belarusian way

In conclusion Aleksandr Lukashenko urged everyone to take good care of their native land, peace, and traditions. “And don’t worry. I know you are a little worried and concerned. Everything will be normal, sometimes even good. Because you have us, our generation who can protect you! And we are not afraid of any weapons, neither nuclear weapons, nor opposition units and regiments,” the Belarusian leader assured.

He reminded about a previous piece of advice: if you do not know what to do in a situation while your enemies are shouting at the top of their lungs, do the opposite thing. One of the examples is the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant that all the current fugitive opposition members, who are inspired by Poland and Lithuania, actively opposed back in the day. Now these countries intend to build their own nuclear power plants. And the harsh criticism of the Belarusian nuclear power plant was nothing but an attempt to deter competition.

Germany, France, and other countries with peaceful nuclear technologies also act in the same manner amid an energy crisis.

“They talk in exactly the same manner about the nuclear weapons that have been brought into the republic. It was my strictest initiative. The longer we live, we more we make sure that these weapons should be stored here, in Belarus, in a safe location. And I am convinced that we will never have to use it as long as we have it and that the enemy will never step foot on our soil,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.

Speaking about another hotly debated topic, the president urged not to inflate the problem of the private military company Wagner: “Calm down. If we could host them here (at their expense), it would be good for our army. These are the most trained people. Some say there are former convicts among them. Listen, all the fighters recruited from among convicts have already died, unfortunately. One more thing that they [in the West] do not want to explain: convicts were released from prisons in Russia only for the Russian front. Not a single person has gone abroad,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“So who are they, the Wagnerians? We go way back with them. Once we even detained 33 of them near Minsk in 2020. We let them go. They have been grateful to us ever since. They always light a candle in a church for Batka. We are not afraid of them,” the president said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko spoke highly of the military experience of PMC Wagner personnel and it is one of the reasons why the West hates them so much. “Some commanders are already saying, ‘Send us a couple of instructors. Let them help us, let them teach us.’ I will tell you an absolutely unpopular thing: the army is good only when it fights. Why are Americans so successful no matter how much we criticize them? Because they are constantly at war. They know what weapons to produce and buy. This is not our way. Fighting is not my way, much less yours. I’m not going to go to war. But I have been preparing for this war for almost 30 years. This is why we live in peace,” the Belarusian leader stressed.”

“This is my unfestive message. Just in case. So that you wouldn’t worry and wouldn’t be concerned. And today we live under a peaceful sky. And once again I want to congratulate you on the holiday. Happy Independence Day! Live long and be healthy!” the president wished.

IN THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW. What important legislation did the president sign?

Aleksandr Lukashenko signed a number of fateful documents last week. Including two laws.

One of them amends laws on labor relations. The document allows workers to take days off for periodic health examination and keep their average pay. One day every three years for workers under 40, one day every year for workers over 40, and two days every year for women over 53 and men over 58.

The innovations include granting parents of three and more kids or parents of disabled children the right to choose between one day off per week or working one hour less per day.

The other law the president signed introduced additional regulations for mass media. The document is aimed at improving the mechanisms to protect national interests in the media space and at expanding the tools to respond to unfriendly actions against Belarus.

The law provides for the possibility of imposing a ban on activities of foreign media in the territory of the Republic of Belarus in the event of unfriendly actions by foreign governments against Belarusian mass media.

The document expands the list of grounds for revoking state registration from mass media and for restricting access to an internet resource, an online publication, or a news aggregator.