Opinions & Interviews
Lukashenko: Belarus must hold its ground amid global reshaping
MINSK, 17 September (BelTA) - Belarus must be able to withstand the ongoing reshaping of the world, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the Youth. Belarus. Future forum marking People’s Unity Day on 17 September, BelTA has learned.
“Today a battle is under way, global reshaping is happening before our eyes. And in this situation we must stand firm, relying on our allies. But they want to drive us under the whip. I am not exaggerating. I have no need to. I am simply warning you, as the future leaders of the country, who will have to ensure its sovereignty and independence,” the Belarusian leader said.
The head of state noted that in the West they sometimes write about the history of Belarus, its identity and an innate sense of respect for landowners. “The essence of their scholarship is simple, which is to force Belarusians once again to live under the whip and work for the lord. I know this better than you,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “Any of my negotiations, meetings or discussions with Western partners speak to this.”
The president also noted that, for example, representatives of the United States, with whom he conducts dialogue, do not directly speak of a desire for Belarus to move away from Russia. “They tried to tear us away from Russia by force in 2020. And if they had succeeded, we would have what is now happening in Ukraine - a rich, powerful, strong country. They tried us out. It did not work. They [the West] would have liked it. But credit must be given to the U.S. delegation: they never told me about this,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “But I understand that it is beneficial for the West to tear apart unity by force. That is why I warned them at the very beginning: the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China are two countries we put outside the brackets, they are not up for discussion [in the course of Belarus-USA dialogue]. When you [the West] imposed sanctions against us, they opened a door for us. In many ways it is thanks to this that we live and work today. It was said honestly and directly. But, once again, I emphasize, the Americans never said it out loud, though they dream of it.”
According to the head of state, Belarus is not the main target; rather, it is the resource-rich lands further to the east. “They [opponents in the West] are ready to trample it once again, tear it apart, kill every third person, but to break through there - eastward to the resources they lack. Well, who does not understand this today?”
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that in a certain sense he is even grateful to the current U.S. Administration and Donald Trump for openly stating their position and true goals. For example, regarding the situation with Venezuela. “They have effectively seized Venezuela. The Venezuelans, the current country, agreed to all the American claims. And the main ‘claim’ is minerals. There is an immeasurable amount of oil there. In terms of reserves, Venezuela ranks first or second in the world. Trump says directly: there is big money there,” the president said.
He also drew attention to other geopolitical clashes involving the USA: “There is effectively an economic war between China and the USA. But Trump understands that China is not Venezuela. Battles have unfolded between the USA and Canada. A trade war in fact. The Americans dream of it becoming another state within the USA. And why? Because Canada is rich in resources. And this has been said directly. Then Greenland, the Arctic and so on, which are supposedly still semi-free. The USA has cast their eye there.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko also mentioned the attacks on Iran. “Well, why was it necessary to fight the heirs of the Persians? They have never knelt before anyone. Does the USA not know this history? It does.” They say that at one time Iranians destroyed the U.S. embassy, and that is the response. They decided to start a war. But that is not the reason. The reason is Iran’s wealth,” the president said.
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