News & Events in Belarus

Lukashenko: Global players foment world’s conflicts

MINSK, 8 April (BelTA) – Belarus is pursuing a balanced foreign policy and absolutely opposes provocation and escalation of local conflicts around the world, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said in an interview with Turkey’s news agency Anadolu on 8 April, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that conflicts arise in all parts of the world: “Today tensions are high close to the Belarusian border – in Ukraine. You know what is happening in Venezuela (God forbid it will erupt into some international conflict or clashes). You see what is happening in Libya and this is just the beginning. Being a Turkish citizen you see and feel what is going on close to you – in Syria, Iraq; the Kurdish problem is also high on your agenda.”

The president is convinced that if such conflicts occur, it means that someone needs them. “My assumption is proved by the fact that these conflicts arise in the countries that are rich in natural resources and that have a strategic geopolitical location on the world map. It means that someone needs these resources, someone wants to get leverage to influence the countries that have this geographically and strategically important location,” the president said.

“Do we, Belarusians, need it? No! Our state needs minerals, natural resources, but we are not a global player and do not have that kind of imperial mindset that would push us to force other states to act the way we want and to get these resources,” the head of state noted. 

The Belarusian leader believes that ‘the global players are the fomenters’. “You know who I mean. Some of them act aggressively; others talk a lot (but their violent rhetoric helps foment tensions). There are also countries that try to have an impact on a situation without saying a word. However each of these powers has certain objectives. First of all, it is all about the divide and rule policy,” the Belarusian leader said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko believes that Belarus, just like Turkey, is not interested in conflicts, in particular taking into account the developments in Syria. “Therefore, Turkey, to say nothing of Belarus, does not need such local or bigger conflicts. There is no way we can benefit from it,” the president underlined.

He recalled that Belarus has often been a battleground throughout its history. The losses were huge, millions of people died. “We have a different mindset. We do not need such conflicts taking into consideration practical, moral and genetic reasons. We are pursuing a balanced and multi-vector policy. We want peace in the west and east. We can benefit from it despite our complicated geographic location in the world. Therefore, we have a principled position on it. Today this flame is burning several kilometers from you, tomorrow it can cross the border and reach your territory,” the head of state added.

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