NUCLEAR POWER IN BELARUS AND WORLDWIDE
MINSK, 16 May (BelTA) – During Belarus vs Slovenia debates for the UN Security Council non-permanent membership for the 2024-2025 period in New York Belarus' permanent representative to the United Nations Organization Valentin Rybakov responded to accusations of Belarus' bias in the conflict in Ukraine, BelTA has learned.
Valentin Rybakov quoted a recent statement made by Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko about the country's participation in Russia's special military operation in Ukraine. Back then the head of state stated that Belarus does not deny it is taking part in the conflict but it does not kill anyone, does not send military personnel, and does not violate its commitments. On the contrary, Belarus cures and feeds people. And not only Russians but also refugees from Ukraine's territory. Another task is to prevent the spread of the conflict onto Belarus' territory. It is necessary to safeguard the borders.
On the other hand, Valentin Rybakov drew attention to how Slovenia is involved in the conflict in Ukraine. “According to public sources of information, the Slovenian government has handed over battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, artillery, air defense systems, anti-armor weapons, and gear to Ukraine,” he recalled.
“Belarus is getting constantly accused of its biased attitude to the conflict in Ukraine. Can you name at least one country that is not involved in the conflict? Either emotionally or directly, including through weapons shipments,” Valentin Rybakov remarked.
Valentin Rybakov reminded that Belarus did its best to host the first three rounds of Russia-Ukraine talks in Belarus. Belarus should not be blamed for the failure of the talks.
“If Slovenia's concern about the situation in Ukraine is used as an argument in favor of Slovenia's membership in the UN Security Council, then do you really believe that Slovenia knows more about the situation in Ukraine than Belarus does?” Valentin Rybakov wondered. He stressed that Ukraine is a neighbor of Belarus, a country where friends and relatives of Belarusians live. Belarus and Ukraine are connected by longstanding interpersonal ties. The same is true for Russia.
“This is why we are certainly biased in this matter but it doesn't mean that we cannot contribute to the resolution of this conflict. And we've already done a lot,” Valentin Rybakov said.
