MINSK, 5 May (BelTA) – Vice President of the Associated Press Ian Phillips shared his impressions of the interview with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko. It was a candid conversation, during which the Belarusian leader answered a wide range of questions, BelTA informs.
“We have been able to discuss a broad range of topics - from the situation in Belarus to hot international issues,” said Ian Phillips. “We have been able to discuss a number of issues in a very open way. Of course, our opinions did not always coincide. Yet, it is important for us to be able to hear the positions of all sides”.
Ian Phillips noted that interviews with world leaders allow getting objective, accurate, and fair and square information.
The interview lasted about an hour and a half. Questions were asked about the surprise inspection of the Armed Forces of Belarus, the special military operation of Russia in Ukraine and Belarus' position on various aspects of this topic, the possibility of resolving the conflict through diplomacy. The president opined on a possibility of using nuclear weapons and on where the red lines run.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also spoke about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and shared his opinion about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Other topics raised during the interview included the Western sanctions and their impact on the economy of Belarus, as well as the situation inside the country, including the activities of ‘independent' trade unions and the press.
