Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: Europe will pay Belarus for clean air one day

LEPEL DISTRICT, 31 October (BelTA) – The time is not far off when Europe will have to pay Belarus for the clean and fresh air produced by the country’s preserved forests and wetlands, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he visited the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve on 31 October, BelTA has learned.

The head of state drew attention to a number of advantages of living outside major cities – in small towns and villages, where there is clean air, closeness to nature, compactness, and easy access to essential infrastructure. According to him, these benefits are especially valued by middle-aged people and families with children. “They will gladly come to such quiet places, where their children will feel well. This is the future, and we must preserve it,” the president said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko went on saying: “The time will come when Europe will pay us for what we protect, for what was given to us by God. Oxygen comes from our swamps, forests, and trees. Europe has none of these natural resources, but we do. The wind carries this wealth there, and they breathe fresh, clean air thanks to us. And they must pay for it.”

“Instead of paying, they try to strangle us with sanctions. But this will pass – it is already passing. I believe the time is near when they will have to pay us for this” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

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