Opinions & Interviews
Lukashenko calls on Russian politicians to take his sovereignty statements calmly
MINSK, 20 April (BelTA) - President Aleksandr Lukashenko called on individual Russian politicians not to huff and puff over his statements about sovereignty as he talked to the media on 20 April, BelTA has learned.
The president was asked about the nervous reaction of some politicians, including those in Russia, about the statements he made when delivering the State of the Nation Address to the Belarusian people and the National Assembly. Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that anyone who would dare to destroy Belarus, be it the president or the government, would be damned by the Belarusian people and those who would dare to do it by force would receive the strongest push-back.
“The statement incorporated internal and external factors. This topic is important. When I addressed it I shared my thoughts that I have had for a long time,” he added. According to him, the internal aspect was connected with the fact that sometimes they make suggestions alleging that Lukashenko or someone else wants to incorporate Belarus into another state. “If Lukashenko does it he will be cursed by the people. That was about the internal side of the issue,” the head of state said. With regard to the external side the history knows many examples when a state was incorporated by force into another. Therefore, it was an external focus: if someone dares it will get rebuff,” the president noted.
Some politicians especially those in Russia huff and puff in vain. I am aware of all this information: Oh, they say, that was against Russia. These statements are directed against those who will try to do it. This is first. Secondly, as far as I am concerned, I sincerely believe that Russia is a stronghold of our sovereignty, you might say. If something happens I still believe that we will stand shoulder to shoulder with Russia. Therefore, there is no need for some politicians in Russia to take these words personally as if they were directed against Russia,” the Belarusian leader said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko added that he has never seen any geographic, administrative or political maps which showed the border of the Russian Federation near Minsk. “We have never seen such maps. There are other maps. This is why there is no need to make something up and take all these words personally,” the president said.
The head of state was also asked to comment on the reaction of Russian Ambassador Mikhail Babich regarding the Belarusian nuclear power plant following the Belarusian president’s Annual State of the Nation Address. “I will not comment on the issue. It will be wrong for me to do it, although I have an opinion on the matter. The Russian ambassador is a representative of the president of the Russian Federation, who is my friend (he recommended him). He is a representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They will sort things out. I am absolutely sure. This is a country with established traditions and they understand how an ambassador both in Russia and outside it should behave. There is nothing to comment on. This is the Russian ambassador and Russia will deal with the matter,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
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