MINSK, 22 January (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko reaffirms Belarus' peaceful policy and resolution to defend national interests. The head of state made the statement at a session of the Security Council to discuss the Military Doctrine of Belarus on 22 January, BelTA has learned.
“With good reason we can openly reaffirm our peaceful policy and the absence of hostility towards other states. At the same time, we can point out our resolution to defend our national interests, including, if needed, with the help of the entire military organization of the state,” the Belarusian leader said. “It means that we do not need the things belonging to others but we will not give up an inch of our land either. This is quite clear.”
Alexander Lukashenko stressed that there are no direct military threats to Belarus. “Other types of challenges have come to the forefront. The proverbial wisdom teaches us to keep our powder dry. This wise saying is still relevant,” the head of state noted.
The President stressed that the new Military Doctrine defines the views of the Belarusian state on ensuring military security and armed defense. He reminded that the current doctrine was passed a decade and a half ago. The situation in the world and around Belarus has changed dramatically since then. Tensions between global and regional centers of power in the fight for redistribution of spheres of influence have aggravated and the willingness to protect geopolitical interests using all tools has enhanced.
"The active use of ‘colored revolutions' to overthrow legitimate governments has led to an increase in the number of armed conflicts. The method of undermining a state from within has been increasingly used to reach political goals,” the Belarusian leader said.
"Iraq is plunged into chaos. So are Libya and Yemen. The bloodshed in Syria continues. The situation in Ukraine has not been stabilized yet. A number of ‘hot spots' have been frozen and can break out at any moment,” the Belarusian head of state noted.
The President noted that terrorism has flooded the whole world, from the European continent to the United States of America, and refuges fleeing wars flow to Europe.
"The contradictions between the Russian Federation and NATO member states have intensified, to say the least. Between them is Belarus, as if between a rock and a hard place,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
He stressed that the threat to global and regional security has not gone away. Further escalation of the situation may have irreparable consequences both for Europe and for all humankind.
The President drew attention to the fact that there are new phenomena requiring an adequate response. Traditional forms of war are replaced with new ones, including the so-called hybrid wars. The role of information leverage in shaping public opinion in a given state has increased significantly.
Alexander Lukashenko stressed that the analysis of the present-day situation requires adjustments to the country's national security approaches, including in the military sector. In his words, last year the Defense Minister was tasked to explore all options of possible response with the use of force to contemporary threats taking into account the long-term forecast and reflect this in the new edition of the Military Doctrine, which was accomplished.
Alexander Lukashenko suggested discussing the amendments to the document, including means of conducting an armed struggle, the present military political situation from the perspective of the country's national security, and the ways any external threats can affect the country.
“Ensuring stability and security is the main condition for sustainable development of the state and our most important task today,” the President stressed.
