Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: USA does not intend to separate Belarus from Russia

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MINSK, 20 March (BelTA) – The United States of America does not intend to separate Belarus from Russia. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned it while talking to reporters about results of the negotiations with a U.S. delegation led by Special Envoy John Coale the day before, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “We discussed many matters. All the international problems. They were interested in my point of view, in how we, Belarusians, our authorities see it in this region. I presented my point of view, our approaches. Including my take on Russia and China when they were asking questions. But I warned them: they are not just our allies but the states that are close to us. And I would like Americans to take it into account. Credit where credit is due, they take it into account.”

He stressed that during negotiations the USA has never raised the matter of separating Belarus from Russia as some people contemplate at times, including in Russia. “Come on! Americans have never intended to do that,” the president stated.

“At one point the question came up of whether we could buy American liquefied natural gas (they would deliver it through Poland to Grodno Azot). I said: 'Guys, I would be more than happy to, but can you compete with Russian natural gas?’” the president said. Aleksandr Lukashenko explained at the time that Russian gas arrives via pipeline and at a price lower than on global markets.

“They laughed. I said: ‘Well, there’s your answer.’ I said: ‘I know how to do the math a bit. At Grodno Azot there are plenty of economists who can also do the math and choose what’s best’,” the head of state added. “In other words, I don’t act like Europeans [the EU countries]. They were told to buy American gas, and that was it, they bought it, even if it was five times more expensive. This is how far Europeans have overreached.”

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