News & Events in Belarus

Greatest value, job for the brave, road to SCO, world media sensations in bombshell 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.

What did Belarusians learn from the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945? What greatest value did the president mention in a sacred place for the country? Why does Belarus’ future depend on creative professionals? Who will rise up to defend the Motherland? How can officer’s honor be preserved? What is so special about the cultural code of the Belarusian nation? Why is it important not to forget one’s roots in order to preserve sovereignty? Belarus’ priorities on the way to full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, details of Aleksandr Lukashenko’s bombshell of a news conference as Western mass media put it are also in the latest episode of BelTA’s special project President’s Week.

ONE LAND, ONE COUNTRY. With what words did Aleksandr Lukashenko address fellow Belarusians on Independence Day?

The president traditionally takes part in the celebration of Independence Day on 3 July. The celebration has place for old and new traditions. In the morning Aleksandr Lukashenko laid a wreath at the foot of the Mound of Glory. In the evening he presented government awards to people of culture and art in the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater.

The Mound of Glory was constructed in honor of the heroes, who liberated Belarus from Nazi invaders. It is a place that is sacred for Belarusians. It was a place of fierce battles where thousands of soldiers and officers gave their lives in exchange for a peaceful future of the generations to come. “The fighters did not divide themselves into Belarusians and Russians, Ukrainians and Kazakhs, Armenians and Georgians, Tajiks and Kyrgyz, Azerbaijanis, Uzbeks and others. They did not divide the land into their own and someone else’s. They fought for our one Fatherland,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

Belarus honors and remembers the feat of the Soviet people. Streets of populated localities in Belarus bear the names of many of them. Multiple memorials, which exist in every corner of the country, have not been forgotten either.

“The Great Patriotic War taught Belarusians to value life, peace and freedom. Therefore, today, 3 July, on the day of the liberation of our capital, Minsk, we celebrate Independence Day of independent Belarus,” the president said.

By the way, participants of the Memory Train project were at the Mound of Glory that day. Those were young people from Russia, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan. “Over time the train will surely gather together all the heirs of the victorious nations. From all the republics of the Soviet Union. I am absolutely convinced of this. After all, we share one memory of that war, one victory and one truth! In these complicated times only together can we guarantee peace in our land. Only together can we be free and independent,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

The greatest value

“The future of Belarus is created by your dreams and aspirations that are realized thanks to the hard work and responsibility of each of us. We have one land, one country – our Belarus,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

He stressed that it is the nation’s greatest value: “They [the generation of winners] bequeathed us to take care of it. And we have preserved it. Now it’s your turn, the turn of young people. Take care of this land, you will not have another.”

The national legacy

As he presented government awards in the evening, Aleksandr Lukashenko once again reminded that for Belarusians, independence is freedom and life gifted by the generation of winners. “And we remember that in different periods of history our ancestors defended this freedom not only with weapons in their hands,” the Belarusian leader said. “No nation in the world can be truly independent without a rich cultural heritage and a strong spiritual foundation. You, people of art, create it. It is you who capture the historical moment, displaying it in words, music, painting, architecture and sculpture, on film, in digital medium. In other words, you chronicle the life of a generation, the life of our state. We’re going to pass away one day, but that’s going to stay.”

This art forms historical memory and national heritage and represents one of the conditions for sovereignty. It largely depends on the masters of art whether the independence of Belarus will be strengthened and passed on from generation to generation.

A special mission of creative professionals

“But don’t forget that peace is very fragile. Yes, we live under a clear sky, but in conditions of war, an information and economic war. In conditions of unprecedented challenges to our independence. It depends on you what Belarus will be like tomorrow, what the future of our Belarusians will be like,” Aleksandr Lukashenko told the cultural figures.

The president assured that true talent will always be appreciated in Belarus and not a single brilliant project will be left without attention. “I guarantee you that,” the president said.

Yet Aleksandr Lukashenko cautioned that sometimes mistakes cost a lot to the society, particularly mistakes of creative professionals: “Because there are many people behind you, thousands of people who look at you with hope. Take care of our Belarus. We need to make sure that we, and especially our children, families and friends, should never know the horrors that, unfortunately, some people dear to us are going through now, not far from our country.”

ON THE WAY TO SCO. What current avenues of cooperation did Aleksandr Lukashenko mention at the summit?

On 4 July Aleksandr Lukashenko took part in a videoconference session of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

A memorandum stipulating the commitments the Republic of Belarus will have to honor in the course of joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a full member state was signed within the framework of the summit. The further process will involve the ratification of this memorandum and the entire package of Belarus’ commitments by all countries.

It was a landmark summit for Iran because the country had finished the process of its accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. “I am convinced that with the arrival in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization of such a powerful country with a rich history and culture as the Islamic Republic of Iran and new dialogue partners - the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Myanmar, the Republic of Maldives, we will become even more united and effective,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said in his speech.

The head of state was sure that with support of all the member states Belarus will soon become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. “We have done the relevant work and are grateful to those who support us in this,” he said.

A new focus of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Speaking about the theme of this year’s summit – “Towards a secure SCO”, the Belarusian head of state noted its particular relevance in the context of the deepening crisis of international relations. “We have to admit that the previous security system was not perfect, but still it envisaged the mechanisms of checks and balances, the obligation to abide by international law norms. Today we see a complete breakdown of all rules and concepts. Therefore, it is not surprising that the SCO has to focus more on the problems of security and stability in the region rather than on economic matters,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“Firmly upholding the principles of building a just world for all states without exception, Minsk continuously works on various international platforms to find compromises and solutions,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Seven priorities

In his speech during the summit Aleksandr Lukashenko presented Belarus’ stance with regard to topical avenues of interaction. There are seven avenues of interaction like that.

First. Challenges and threats such as destructive cyberattacks, data theft, and targeted dissemination of fake news in the information space are becoming increasingly relevant in the member states of the organization. “We are ready for cooperation in this area, including the training of specialists, the realization of joint projects concerning cyber exercises, mutual exchange of technical solutions,” the president said.

Second. While trying and failing to maintain its dominance in a number of areas of economy and finance, to restrain the development of countries it dislikes, the West enforces illegal barbaric sanctions against them. “In order to effectively counteract this, Belarus is actively promoting the idea of global development. We consistently advocate the formation of a large Eurasian partnership with our long-standing partners - China, India, Pakistan, Iran, our partners in the CIS - and the alignment of the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS formats in a broad context,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.

Third. The exchange of experience and accumulated knowledge is an important component of continuous technological development. As a possible pilot projects in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization the president proposed a program to pool together the information resources of technology transfer centers.

Fourth. In the context of the aggravating global food security problems, the SCO states can count on Belarus as one of the largest exporters of mineral fertilizers, agricultural products and food. “For the sake of providing financial support for trade contracts and various projects Belarus is fully in favor of the idea of setting up a Shanghai Cooperation Organization development bank. By the way, we reviewed this problem back in the day,” the head of state said.

Fifth. Minsk also remains interested in transforming the common transport and logistics space of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, including by means of intensifying international transportation, accelerating and digitalizing the procedures for operation of the North-South transport corridor.

Sixth. For the sake of closer introduction to the diversity of cultures Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested considering the possibility of realizing a large-scale joint project – a festival of SCO cultures – and making it traditional.

Seventh. The president also drew attention to work with the young generation so that all the Shanghai Cooperation Organization plans would not remain only paper plans: “Much of what we are discussing now will be implemented by today’s students. We need to think about creating the SCO for the Youth Platform.”

JOB FOR THE BRAVE. What tit-for-tat measures to defend the country did the president talk about?

On 5 July Aleksandr Lukashenko took part in a ceremony to honor graduates of higher military education institutions. This event traditionally ends the festivities dedicated to the key state holiday – Independence Day.

“In our country, the defense of the Motherland has been in the hands of courageous, strong-willed and brave people and will always be. People like you are true men who wear an officer’s uniform in such a difficult and sometimes unpredictable time,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

The modern situation

The head of state called today’s situation difficult. The post-war world order based on international law did not always work and has finally collapsed. Geopolitical tensions between NATO member states on one side and Russia, China, and other countries on the other side have entered a hot phase. “Against this background the neighboring countries are increasing their military spending, purchasing offensive weapons for their armies, building up NATO presence on their territories, conducting endless exercises near our border. They are coming up with more and more ways to interfere in the internal affairs of our country using far-fetched pretexts,” the Belarusian leader said.

“In addition to economic diktat, political and information pressure, today we encounter provocations at our external border, attempts at terrorist activities inside the country that are orchestrated from outside,” the president said.

He underlined that Belarus adequately responds to all these moves and continues to improve its national security system, first of all, military security.

“These are tit-for-tat measures to protect the sovereignty of our state. There will be neither peace nor Belarusian nation without sovereignty. In our history, we have gone through this more than once,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

A noble choice and a hard service

Speaking about military personnel, the president noted that no matter how powerful technical capabilities are, they will not give an advantage if the country has no professional warriors devoted to their native land and people: “The war in Ukraine clearly demonstrates this. The military play a decisive role in strengthening the defense capability of the country, protecting the peaceful work of its citizens. Officers are at the heart of it.”

The graduates will work in military units and military command and control bodies. “It won’t be easy. Officers’ work is always fraught with difficulties, hardships and certain restrictions. We all know this very well,” the president noted.

Addressing the officers, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that by choosing the military career, they made a noble decision as they took responsibility for peace and security in their native land, especially at the present time.

“I understand the military very well. We have to serve the Motherland, protect this land while other people are having good time. This is our destiny,” the head of state said. “You have to efficiently address complex and important tasks to improve combat and mobilization readiness, ensure the highest level of training and coordination of military command and control bodies and troops, teach subordinates modern combat methods. I am convinced that you will be up to the task and will maintain peace and security in Belarus.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko presented commendation letters from the president of Belarus to the graduates of higher military education institutions in recognition of excellent academic achievements and exemplary performance of military duty.

Aleksandr Lukashenko cautioned that even though the formal study is over, the military will have to continue to study every day: “Life keeps teaching us new lessons in the air and on the ground.

Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that he highly appreciates the profession of an officer: “If a man puts on an officer’s uniform, he must be a real man and must protect his Motherland, which is now in our hands. Be always worthy of your land!”

WITHOUT CUTS. What was the main point of Aleksandr Lukashenko’s conversation with foreign and Belarusian reporters?

On 6 July the Belarus president met with representatives of foreign and Belarusian mass media. The meeting lasted for 3 hours and a half.

Reporters working for mass media of various countries and regions of the world (Russia, USA, UK, France, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar) were invited to meet with the Belarusian head of state. Prominent Belarusian reporters also asked their questions.

The mass media that had been most actively submitting applications for an interview with the Belarus president recently had been prioritized for the meeting. It is worth noting that it was not the first visit to the Palace of Independence for many of them. Although materials written by some Western colleagues after previous interviews with Aleksandr Lukashenko often lacked completeness and objectivity, the habit of getting information directly from the Belarusian head of state had clearly taken shape. Which means this communication is also mutually beneficial. As they say, little strokes fell great oaks.

At the start of the meeting Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested an informal conversation instead of a press conference: “Let’s have a free conversation (not a press conference) and talk about the issues that concern you and, I believe, your viewers and the peoples of your countries, the Belarusian people as well.”

Most of the questions focused on the situation concerning the Russian private military company (PMC) Wagner, the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus, and the conflict in Ukraine. The president had to answer some of the questions several times. It is unclear why the foreign reporters did not grasp the essence of the statements by the head of state in one go. And it seems that totally different government officials should have been asked some of the questions. But Aleksandr Lukashenko did not try to dodge the responsibility and answered all the questions as patiently and in as much detail as possible.

WORLD PILLARS. Why does Aleksandr Lukashenko believe the world’s transition to multipolarity irreversible?

What awaits the world taking into account all the modern processes? This global question started the conversation.

“I am not assuming the role of some kind of player or fortuneteller who knows what awaits the world. Let us wait and see. Probably, the most knowledgeable, enlightened politician or person in any part of the world will not be able to say what awaits the world in the future. But you are absolutely right when you say that the world is changing. I often say that the world has taken leave of its senses. So have the entities involved. You know very well who they are,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The head of state noted that the world order established after World War Two, where the peoples of the Soviet Union played a decisive role in the victory over Nazism, no longer exists.

“At a recent meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization I said that the world order as we knew it has been destroyed. It does not exist. We do not live by laws or international rules any more. Today we do not even live by a code,” the president said. “There are no rules, no codes. The world has been destroyed. So has the world order. Due to the games started by the major countries of our planet. Speaking very mildly about what awaits [the world], I am absolutely convinced that the unipolar system is gone. Multipolarity is emerging. This process can no longer be stopped, either peacefully or militarily. If this is a true order based on multipolarity, this will be a completely different configuration that will ensure a great stability on our planet, which will rely on many pillars.”

Among these pillars Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned the United States of America, the European Union, China, and India. In his words countries of Africa and the Middle East will have a role to play, too. “I would like the post-Soviet space to close ranks as much as possible, and also act as one of the pillars,” the Belarusian leader added.

The head of state was asked about his proposal to align the integration formats of EAEU, BRICS and the SCO and about what needs to be done to make the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) one of the pillars of a multipolar world.

“Our problem is that if decide to make a go, we do it very timidly. I have spoken about it as well,” the head of state said.

He recalled that recently at a conference in Moscow he said to Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia needs to assert itself more actively. Although countries in the post-Soviet space may have differing interests, they can still be consolidated. “We [members of the integration associations] need to do more in terms of integration. If they pull us apart, they will finish us one by one. Belarus and Russia have come to realize this,” the head of state said.

NUCLEAR WARHEADS. How did Western special services miss the delivery of tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus?

Aleksandr Lukashenko confirmed the transportation of Russian tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, the weapons are under reliable security.

The head of state remarked that naturally the self-exiled opposition had been unable to track the transportation of the nuclear warheads (although it seems they had wanted to very much). They have started speculating about how these munitions had been delivered by rail and have even made a connection between the delivery and the untimely demise of the Belarusian transport and communications minister.

Speaking about the means of delivery, Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I will give you a deadly fact: we did not transport the nuclear warheads by land. We didn’t interfere with anyone. We transported them in a way that neither you nor the United States of America, nor MI6, nor Germany, nor anyone else had noticed it. That was the idea.”

By the end of the year all the nuclear weapons Belarus is supposed to get will be delivered. “Definitely by the end of the year. But I think we will have transported all the intended warheads before that,” the president said.

“Nuclear weapon deployment facilities were completely ready a month ago. Most of the nuclear weapons have been transported and are in Belarus,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.

Speaking about control over the storage of nuclear weapons, Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that it is ideal and that Belarusians and Russians jointly take care of it. “Because we, the current composition of Belarus’ Armed Forces cannot service nuclear weapons on our own because we haven’t had them. It is a very serious thing. This is why we do everything together with the Russian Federation these days.”

Commenting on all kinds of speculations about who will make the decision on using the nuclear weapons after all – the leadership of Belarus or Russia, Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out that even in the course of working on less important operations than the use of nuclear weapons, leaders of the two countries phone each other, meet with each other, and discuss things dozens of times. “Even if Russia decided to use nuclear weapons, I am convinced it would consult with its closest ally. And we would do the same even more so,” he said.

Speaking about the use of nuclear weapons, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Belarus is not going to attack anyone with the help of nuclear weapons. They are designed purely for defensive purposes. “If you commit an aggression against Belarus, the response will be instantaneous. Targets have been chosen,” he said.

“If I don’t want something or if our nation, our state doesn’t want something, then it won’t happen,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said to clarify how the decision on using the nuclear weapons will be made.

TO GRAB THE OPPORTUNITY. When can peace talks on Ukraine resume?

Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that right now it is necessary not to miss the moment when it is still possible and advisable to sit down at the negotiating table. “They we need to come to their senses. There is still a whole set of talking points on the table that can be agreed upon. Tomorrow it will be impossible. Today we can talk to Ukraine and reach some kind of peace agreement. The situation will change after the counteroffensive, and it remains to be seen whether they will still want to talk to you [to the leadership of Ukraine]. It is a pity that politicians in Ukraine do not see and understand this,” the president said.

“They must stop now. A lot of bad things have been done. Many people have died. But it could be even worse. Therefore, it is crucial to stop now, to sit down at the negotiating table. Without preconditions. We all must sit down at the negotiating table and take decisions on territories, security, and the future of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. It should be up to Belarus, Ukraine and Russia, and least of all up to the USA, to decide on that. The USA is far away. They understand what is going on here, but it’s not their war. Therefore, this problem should be addressed here,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

The head of state believes that Ukraine will seek to show the best effort ahead of the NATO summit in Vilnius. “The problem for them is that if they throw their best units into battle in the run-up to 11 July in order to show their patrons what they are capable of, the Ukrainian military capability will be completely destroyed. Their forces will be ground down. They are launching attacks in order to cut off the land passage to Crimea and split the southern grouping. As soon as they wear down their troops, Russia will launch a counterattack, and the Ukrainians will have nothing to defend themselves with. They will cut off Ukraine completely from the Black Sea, and from the best, most advantageous and valuable territories. One should think about this,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

It is possible that the matter of Ukraine’s statehood will be wrapped up as a result of these events and consequent ones.

Zelenskyy and NATO

Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will insist that Ukraine join NATO. “In other words that NATO enter the war against the Russian Federation. That is where the danger comes from. And if NATO makes such a decision, the war will be completely different. I am afraid it might end very quickly,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The president gave his take on the possibility that in such a situation the West may decide to replace Zelenskyy with someone else. Aleksandr Lukashenko believes that this is unlikely: “It is quite possible, but I don’t think it will happen. Replacing Zelenskyy is the first step towards admitting defeat. There are no grounds to make such assumptions. I have no evidence to prove this. And why would they replace Zelenskyy if he is doing everything they want?”

The head of state noted that Vladimir Zelenskyy and Ukraine’s military leadership have been at loggerheads for quite some time already. “In fact, the military see what is happening at the front. While he, being pushed by these fidgets [President of Poland Andrzej] Duda and [U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd] Austin with [U.S. Secretary of State Antony] Blinken, believes that he is a hero, a household name around the world and he will win. This will never happen,” the president said.

Positions of the sides and the role of the counteroffensive

European countries are ready for negotiations on Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has taken an uncompromising position while the USA maintains a position in between the two stances. “I am trying to explain, to name the reasons why it is time for negotiations. The position of the West is as follows: Europe is ready to negotiate now, including France. Maybe first of all France. This is a war in our house, so we need to negotiate while we can. Zelenskyy has taken an extremely uncompromising position ‘to fight until we liberate all the territories, to fight till the last Ukrainian.’ The United States holds an intermediate position. They will be ready for negotiations after the counteroffensive,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

According to him, even if this counteroffensive ends unsuccessfully for Ukraine, this will be a result, too: “Then it is necessary to negotiate. Europe has agreed with it. The counteroffensive is in the center of attention today.”

While talking to reporters, Aleksandr Lukashenko said he believes that Volodymyr Zelenskyy had finally realized that he would not win the war. Aleksandr Lukashenko explained the reasoning by mentioning the Ukraine president’s outburst ahead of the forthcoming NATO summit in Vilnius: “What is happening now? Especially since 4-5 June, the start of the so-called counteroffensive. He [Zelenskyy] finally realized that he would not win the war. That the counteroffensive would not end in anything but the death of thousands and thousands of people.”

Therefore, Aleksandr Lukashenko believes, he gradually began to voice his grievances towards those who had pushed Ukraine to the war. First of all, grievances in terms of money and new weapons.

The head of state also believes that the clash in Ukraine will be escalating because Ukraine still has considerable strategic reserves. “They must show some success by 11 July [NATO summit in Vilnius]," he said. “They tried to attack Russia head-on. The head-on approach did not work and will not work. If Russia continues to act in accordance with the classic warfare rules, the Ukrainians will not have any victory.”

The president also said that the possibility of Poland or other Western countries seizing the western territories of Ukraine is absolutely unacceptable for Belarus and Russia. “We’ve discussed this topic with the Russian president. We have a complete mutual understanding on this. This is a very dangerous way to escalate the conflict in Ukraine. If they decide to invade the territory of Ukraine and reconquer the ‘historical lands’... This will be unacceptable for us,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

The timing of possible peace talks

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “The situation should change by autumn and we will start talking at the negotiating table. Possibly. Maybe not in September but slightly later than that. I don’t want to reveal this information but Europeans are already talking about it. France. Germany. Europeans stand to lose the most from this war from the material point of view. And essentially one country benefits from it.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko said he does not expect the sides to gather in Moscow or Minsk but it does not matter. “The most important thing is to end this conflict,” he stressed.

The head of state also remarked that it is important not to miss the moment to start the talks because the situation changes very dynamically. “Nobody should be surprised that the powerful and strong Russia is ready for negotiations with Ukraine. Well, Russia doesn’t want people to die. If tomorrow Russians crush these [Ukrainian] forces and see an opportunity to attack the south of Transdniestria, what then? Will Russia be willing to negotiate? Unlikely. The situation will change and the approaches will be different. This is why if someone expects this ‘counteroffensive’… ‘If it doesn’t work out, then we will sit down at the negotiating table,’ the West says. But Russia may tell them to go to hell,” the president said.

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, if negotiations resume, the previous drafts of peace agreements are acceptable only by roughly 50%. “Will Russia talk about Crimea and Novorossiya? Never! The situation has changed. It was possible back then [during previous negotiations],” the president noted.

“But Russians are not going to insist. I know Putin’s stance. He will move towards discussing any matters. But let’s sit down at the negotiating table. Without preliminary conditions,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.

Asked whether he expects Russia to win the war, Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I do.”

“If you don’t want Russia to win, then sit down at the negotiating table and come to an agreement,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said answering a question from a French journalist.

The head of state also stressed that Russia is the closest ally of Belarus, and this is no secret to anyone. “We have been working for a long time to form a union. We have spelled everything down,” he said.

As for participation of Belarusian military personnel in the conflict in Ukraine, Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Even the French will not force me to do it. There is no need for that.”

China’s role in resolving the conflict

“China may play a crucial role in resolving this crisis if it really works to achieve this goal instead of simply wanting to do it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The reporters mentioned a recent article by the British newspaper Financial Times, which says that China President Xi Jinping visited Moscow in March and allegedly cautioned Vladimir Putin not to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “It is 100% fake. I know both of them. I know China and I know Xi Jinping. He will never do it. Some channels and the rest could have been used but him warning Putin not to use nuclear weapons is fake news, it is a lie. It didn’t happen 100%.”

The president added that in view of the spreading reports he would clarify the matter during the next meeting with Vladimir Putin. “I will ask him although I am convinced that it didn’t happen. I don’t believe it and I advise you not to believe it. It is a bogus story. You have to think about who needs this bogus story. The West may because the West wants to demonstrate that even Putin’s friend Xi Jinping shook his finger at Putin and shouted at him not to use nuclear weapons. It could not have happened and it didn’t happen. I am sure of it,” the Belarusian leader stated. “Putin and all the people in Russia know when nuclear weapons can be used and when they cannot be. When Russia faces a deadly threat, when it is a matter of Russia’s life or death and the country faces barefaced aggression, then nuclear weapons will be used. And I support him in this regard.”

In addition, Belarus has not conducted and is not conducting any talks with China regarding nuclear weapons, Aleksandr Lukashenko added.

The possibility of a nuclear strike

The war in Ukraine, Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine is not and will not be a reason for any side to carry out a nuclear strike, Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Some say that the war can be finished by carrying out a nuclear strike on Ukraine. It is quite possible but unnecessary. President Putin has stated several times that he is not even considering using nuclear weapons. Even nuclear weapons with limited capabilities. Tactical nuclear weapons. Russia has a sufficient amount of conventional weapons, non-nuclear weapons in order to attain its goals.”

The president went on saying: “But if there is NATO’s aggression, for instance, aggression on the part of the United States of America or NATO against Belarus or Russia, which means an invasion of our territory, then our hands will be untied. According to the national security concept, Russia or you can say Belarus, which has these weapons now, will retaliate. This is why I tell you in plain terms: leave us alone and we will never use these deadly weapons. And we will not even fight.”

PMC WAGNER PLANS. What fate awaits PMC Wagner personnel and their boss Yevgeny Prigozhin?

After news was released about the possible deployment of PMC Wagner personnel and about the arrival of Wagner’s boss Yevgeny Prigozhin in the country, everyone started wondering where he is now and what his future plans are.

“Why do you ask me where the private military company Wagner and the head of this company are today? This is a Russian company. You know it very well. Therefore, the question is clearly not for me. As far as I know the Wagnerians, who are excellent fighters, are in their camps. Their permanent camps where they were after they withdrew from the front for recovery, medical treatment and so on. This is a regular rotation for such a war. After Bakhmut, they were taken to their camps, and this is where they are today,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

"As for Yevgeny Prigozhin, he is in St. Petersburg. Where was he this morning? Maybe he went to Moscow, or some other place. But he is not in Belarus,” the president said.

Redeployment and the key condition for PMC Wagner

The matter of redeployment and housing of the private military company Wagner to Belarus has not been resolved yet, Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out. Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that it is not up to him to decide on it. It is up to the Russian government and PMC Wagner to decide. Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “We will soon sort out whether they will be in Belarus or not and in what numbers. We will not hide this information. We will definitely inform the public about our further mutual relations with this unit.”

“I absolutely don’t worry and I am not concerned that a certain number of these fighters will stay in Belarus. Moreover, they will be accommodated under certain conditions. The key condition: if we have to use this unit to defend the state (if they come here), then the unit will be immediately used in any area. And their experience in Belarus will be in demand,” the head of state noted.

The president also refuted rumors about the construction of camps for PMC Wagner personnel in Belarus. Aleksandr Lukashenko noted: “We’ve suggested several former military towns to them. They were used during the war. Including near Osipovichi. But PMC Wagner has a different vision regarding its accommodation. Naturally, I will not speak to you about this vision.”

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, if the company is deployed in Belarus, it will sign a legally binding contract where all the terms will be stipulated. The unit’s operating framework will be laid down by a law or a presidential decree, the head of state stated.

Asked under what terms PMC Wagner personnel will operate in Belarus if they are relocated into the country and whether they will use the territory for an attack, Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “We have never attacked anyone. I’ve already said it more than once. And we are not going to attack anyone. Nobody is going to attack anyone from our territory. If aggression is committed against us, we will respond. And if PMC Wagner is deployed here, they will defend our interests just like the Belarusian army does.”

Possible risks for Belarus

The head of state stated that he sees no risks for Belarus due to the deployment of PMC Wagner personnel in the country. Yet the president noted that he understands all kinds of insinuations concerning the matter.

“I see absolutely no risks in the deployment of PMC Wagner. Despite the scaremongering from all the sides, this is not something that can disquiet me. I understand why they are trying to scare me of the relocation of PMC Wagner to Belarus... All the neighbors and the leadership of the United States of America understand that this is a very powerful combat unit and there is hardly anyone in the world that can compare to them. PMC Wagner has gone through many battles and through the war in this case. Therefore, I understand why you are dwelling so much on this theme,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The president emphasized that he sees “nothing extraordinary” in the deployment of PMC Wagner in Belarus. The head of state noted that the Armed Forces of Belarus are very combat ready and are not inferior to PMC Wagner.

“Wagner and its commanders will gladly share their extensive experience with our Armed Forces. I mean their combat experience. The one that we need. This is tactics, military operations. We are not going to lower our guard. You see statements by various fidgets, [President of Poland Andrzej] Duda and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who say that they will not leave Belarus alone. Naturally, as the commander-in-chief I must respond to such things. Therefore, we will deal with this problem if you think it is a problem. I personally don’t think that this is a problem,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced that the situation that happened with PMC Wagner in Russia cannot be repeated in Belarus. “As we say, it is useless to make wild guesses. But I don’t think that PMC Wagner will mutiny at some point and will turn its weapons against Belarusian authorities and the Belarusian state. All kinds of things happen in life. But I don’t expect such a situation today. You have to work with people,” he pointed out.

The matter of PMC Wagner at the forthcoming meeting with Putin

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I don’t think there will be any problems with PMC Wagner working in interests of Russia. One should not lose such a unit despite all the subtle details. Certainly, there are a lot of complaints: people have died and so on, many more people could have died. Moreover, one must not lose fighters of such a unit. There are about 20 heroes of Russia over there. I wish the entire army fought as well as these guys. But these are problems of the Russian Federation and President Putin.”

“He and I have agreed to meet soon. I think we will discuss this problem, too, since we have been involved in its resolution. And we will discuss matters of future operation of PMC Wagner. I think it is the simplest problem that will be resolved and is being resolved,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that security guarantees represent one of the problems the PMC Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin had raised. “I told him: if it is necessary for ending this conflict, I am ready to accommodate you in Belarus and guarantee your security,” the president said.

Apart from that, the Russian side has promised to terminate criminal prosecution, including against Yevgeny Prigozhin. All the agreements are being honored now, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

Relations with the Russian president after what happened

Aleksandr Lukashenko was ready for any questions but this question asked by foreign reporters surprised him. Aleksandr Lukashenko asked for clarification: “Why should our relations be weakened as a result?”

“We resolved the problem together. We’ve resolved the most serious problem for Russia. If Putin elevated the ‘Justice March’ to the level of a presidential statement, an address to the nation… God forbid if this turmoil in Russia, as he described it… Everyone would have felt the heat. But we definitely would have. It was impossible for us to stay out of it. I understood it right away. This is why I got involved in this process. As a result, we played a certain role. And he and I prevented this turmoil. Was it beneficial? It was. Then why should our relations worsen?” the president asked.

“The role of Belarus and, in particular, my role have not been detrimental to the Russian Federation. In his second statement, in his address Putin mentioned it. I hope, I think and today I am convinced that on the contrary, our relations will be even stronger. Although they are already as strong as they get. We have had good relations for a long time. We jointly tackle serious issues, which emerge in our relations and around us one way or another. If some tensions arise, we have established channels of communication. We can have a talk within minutes. We can meet and discuss any problem,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

No plans to eliminate Prigozhin

A reporter asked Aleksandr Lukashenko whether the Wagner incident had weakened Vladimir Putin. “Don’t even hope for it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko answered right away.

“There was no confusion or hesitation. There was no weakening. Putin was doing what he was supposed to do,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “In such a situation, any president, on the contrary, becomes more active, pulls himself together. Putin even more so (I know him). This, on the contrary, made him more focused and determined to protect the country and to rise up to the challenge.”

At the same time Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced that Wagner’s boss Yevgeny Prigozhin will not be “neutralized” in military parlance.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I don’t know everything and I don’t want to know everything about mutual relations between Putin and Prigozhin. But you have to understand that Putin knows Prigozhin much better than I do. I’ve simply seen him during the organization of various events. Putin has known him for much longer. Since the days of St. Petersburg when they lived and worked there. And they have maintained very kind relations with each other. Maybe even better relations than that. I know for a fact that Prigozhin is free. Including right now. We’ve talked over the phone many times. I think he and I talked over the phone yesterday’s afternoon and happened to discuss the matter of future actions of PMC Wagner. He told me one thing: ‘We will work in the name of Russia, for the benefit of Russia, and we will fulfill our duty till the end, the way we will agree and the way the relevant authorities decide’.”

“What will happen to him now? Well, all kinds of things happen in life. But if you think that Putin is so malevolent and vindictive to have him [Prigozhin] eliminated somewhere tomorrow… No, it won’t happen,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

The head of state pointed out that the situation with PMC Wagner should not be limited to the person of Yevgeny Prigozhin. There are many other fighters in the private military company. Some are heroes of Russia. A large number of the personnel have been awarded orders and medals. “And not because they are Prigozhin’s people but because they have fought truly well. And before that and even now they are fighting all over the world to defend democracy or independence of various countries where France or the United States of America would like to bring people to their knees. This is why I believe it would be wrong to ruin such a unit,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.

The readiness to send special forces to defend Moscow

Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that it was necessary to nip the dangerous situation with PMC Wagner in the bud. Otherwise, the situation could have spread onto entire Russia and even could have spread beyond Russia.

The head of state noted he had warned Wagner’s boss Yevgeny Prigozhin about it: “I said: Yevgeny, don’t take offense with me but our Belarusian army has been brought to full combat readiness. Army units have been designated and are being prepared for redeployment to the Moscow area. We will defend Moscow together with Putin.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko said that special forces had been prepared for transportation to Moscow. “The first 5-7 aircraft landed in Belarus in order to deliver a Belarusian special forces brigade to the Moscow area. They are roughly as good as Wagner personnel or they may be even better. And you understand how this conflict could have grown larger. We’d agreed [with the Russian side] to airlift personnel fast if necessary,” the president stated.

The aircraft were provided by the Russian Defense Ministry. “The first special forces brigade was already ready. If it was necessary to involve special operations forces (we have them), we were ready to bring them,” he added.

UNDER USA’S THUMB. What future may Europe face according to Aleksandr Lukashenko?

The president was asked about the position of the West in relation to Ukraine and whether the West will admit its mistakes that led to the conflict.

“Will the West come back to its senses or not? The West has never admitted anything and will not admit anything. Especially now. They consider themselves the arbiters of everything,” the Belarusian leader said. “There is no EU, no Europe. It is completely under the thumb of the United States. Whatever they decide in Washington, Europeans subscribe to. Even the things to the detriment of their interests, which is surprising. Take Germany for example. It was the world’s fourth largest economy. Where is it now? Why did they decide to destroy such a high-tech economy? Out of fright, out of fear or to oblige someone?”  the Belarusian leader said.

The United States has never admitted its mistakes and will never do, the president stressed. The head of state cited historical examples: the U.S. bombing of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki when it made no military sense. “Did they apologize? No. There were many such cases: the war in Korea, in Vietnam, then Afghanistan. They destroyed the entire Middle East, Libya, Syria. Did they admit their mistakes? No. They don’t give a damn: ‘This is a unipolar world, and we are the hegemon. We have the most powerful army and weapons. Our dollar is the most powerful weapon.’ That’s all,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.

Antics and irresponsibility of the USA

As a powerful country the United States of America should bear at least some responsibility for its decisions, the president is convinced.

“And you see how its leadership is acting,” he said.

The president clarified that he was not referring to age: “All of us will be old and feeble. Yet, everyone should be in the place where they belong at this time in life.”

“This [USA] is the most powerful country in the world. It makes many decisions that have an impact on the global dynamics. And here they have to bear at least a small part of responsibility. They do not bear any responsibility. Their decisions are just laughable, just ridiculous,” the head of state said.

“Until we achieve a balance on the planet (and this can be done only by creating certain counterweights like the Soviet Union back in the day), until we do this, they will go on with their antics. And this will translate into the death of thousands and thousands, millions of people,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

Slide towards a civil war

The head of state was asked whether a civil war in countries of the European Union is possible taking into account the growing confrontation between indigenous Europeans and immigrants from other countries, including Muslim ones, the burning of a Quran in Sweden, riots in France, and growing negative sentiments towards European bureaucrats in Germany.

“I don’t rule it out. But I would not want this to happen to Europe. Because it would be dangerous to us, certainly, not as badly as a confrontation in Russia but still. We are the center of Europe. God forbid if tensions flare up somewhere over the fence. Well, just like in Ukraine. Do we feel good about it? No, we feel very bad,” the president said. “So I wouldn't want this to happen to Europe. But they [the European Union] have been solemnly marching towards a civil confrontation, which might be even worse than in France. France could have alleviated the tensions long ago, if not for some stubbornness of the authorities. If you are guilty, then you need to talk to people. And the authorities in France do bear some responsibility.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko called attacks against Muslims idiotic and stupid. “Why do this? Even more so they do under the actual protection of the authorities. Couldn’t Swedish authorities stop it? They could. But they said it was legal. They are creating problems out of the blue and these problems could be the reason for a future civil war,” the head of state said.

PRESIDENT’S JOB. What did Aleksandr Lukashenko say about the sovereignty and fate of Belarus?

The head of state was asked whether the deployment of Russian troops and weapons in the country had affected Belarus’ sovereignty.

“I could ask you what sovereignty did I give away? To whom did I give part of the sovereignty in order to remain in power? I stayed in power because of my people. Including thanks to the Belarusian journalists who are here. They are propagandists and agitators of all the best things that we have in the country. It is only because of this that I am in power,” the president said.

“This is why we have not surrendered any sovereignty to anyone. Sovereignty is the exercise of power within the borders of a particular state. Who, apart from our government and the president, exercises power here?" Aleksandr Lukashenko asked a rhetoric question.

The head of state also talked about his presidency and about his take on being called the last dictator in Europe.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “If you think that I have received something excessive in my position as the president and if you think that I have received something at all, then you are mistaken. Nothing like that. I work in a high position that the nation has entrusted to me. I work. I don’t rule.”

“I don’t decide whether I should be in charge or not,” the Belarusian leader stressed while talking about three decades of his presidency.

Asked about Belarus’ fate after his presidency, Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I hope you and I will see what the fate of my Belarus will be.” The head of state assured that whatever role he might play he will do his best to make sure Belarus has its own fate.

“I think about the future and about how things will be after me. But if I am alive after the presidential term, I will follow this road and will fight for sovereign and independent Belarus,” he assured.

“As for the last dictator in Europe, you should apologize to me already. You have already stopped using this definition. I am no dictator. And if I am a dictator, I am not the last one,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.

Apart from that, the head of state answered a question about his participation in a presidential election in 2025: “I haven’t even thought about the presidential election yet. Honestly. And I haven’t made plans. Only contemplations like: how things will be after my time? Only in this manner.”

CULTURAL CODE. What advice did Aleksandr Lukashenko give to all Belarusians during the Kupala Night Festival?

On 8 July the president traditionally took part in the national Kupala Night Festival (Alexandria Gathers Friends) in Shklov District, Mogilev Oblast where he grew up. The festival becomes more and more popular every year and attracts guests not only from Belarus.

This time the number of visiting dignitaries included State Secretary of the Union State of Belarus and Russia Dmitry Mezentsev and several governors of Russian regions. Including from Irkutsk, which is, mind you, about 6,000km away from Belarus. Aleksandr Lukashenko warmly welcomed the guests, all participants of the festival, and particularly locals.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “You know my heart belongs to this corner of Belarus. It is my place of power. This land, the people who live here have taught me how to love my country and my nation. And I will not tire of thanking my small motherland for the happy years of my childhood and my youth. For the energy that this land feeds me even today. And I am ready to share it with you.”

Ancient heritage

A considerable part of Aleksandr Lukashenko’s speech before the main evening concert was spoken in Belarusian. The president did it for a reason. His words contain an important message to Belarus’ residents and encourage them to take good care of their historical memory, identity, and cultural code.

“As I look at the scale of this festival, I think every time that our festival is an embodiment of everything we have honorably considered our ancient heritage. It is the greatest value of interpersonal relations based on friendship, mutual respect, and hospitality. All of those are available here. It is a value of our own kin that lasts thanks to powerful traditions of family, care for parents, and love of children. And every year we see that Belarusians and our respected guests come here with their families.”

“Our festival also embodies the value of historical memory. Memory about our glorious past, about the fact that Belarus is our land. And our roots are ancient. We feel this connection to centuries particularly strongly here. And we understand the value of our cultural code here. Since the very start it has incorporated the eagerness of Belarusians for justice, high morality, and patriotism. Our national state is built on these principles and develops according to them,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.

National dignity

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Every day we face attempts to impose so-called universal values upon us. However, they are not meant for us. The global state of the future is a utopia. The world will never be monocultural. There is no idea appealing enough to make all the nations to abandon their ethnic history, way of life, and traditions. Even more so today when we see how fates of entire nations get ruined, how roots of one’s own history get thoughtlessly cut off, how graves of ancestors are desecrated, and how monuments get demolished. We see it and understand that there is no and there can be no will, sovereignty, respect, and security without national dignity.”

The president went on saying: “Nowadays when the fight for preserving the value-based foundation of the state continues in the world, the truly independent nations go the extra mile to preserve their original way of life. Nations are united by a dialogue of culture, not the cancel culture. It is the key meaning of our celebration today. It is what inspires our development. Every year Alexandria summons friends from all over the world for the sake of peace and creation!”

Peace and accord

The president also mentioned what is needed in order to preserve peace and accord in the country: “If everywhere, in every meter of our Belarus we behave just like this, hospitably and reasonably, if we welcome our relatives, friends, and even those, who have made mistakes but come to us with good intentions, then there will be peace in our country.”

“As soon as we start crushing and breaking, as soon as we elevate ourselves to high heaven and stay there while looking down on other seemingly second-rate nations, then a war will break out. This is why take care of what we have, appreciate what we have. And then we will always live in peace and accord. Not only with our neighbors. They are chosen by god. We cannot choose them. But with all the nations of our planet,” he said.