Lukashenko calls for peace and cooperation in interview with AFP

MINSK, 21 July (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made a number of comments about topical items on the international agenda and about the situation in the country in an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP), BelTA has learned.

During the interview the head of state answered questions about when the conflict in Ukraine will end, how the conflict could have been avoided, and what role Belarus plays in Russia's special military operation in Ukraine. The situation concerning the Ryanair Flight 4978 incident in Belarus' skies on 23 May 2021 and the International Civil Aviation Organization's investigation into the incident were also mentioned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko was asked for how long he is going to stay in power, how he responds to attempts to interfere with the operation of courts, what he thinks about being called a dictator, and what the difference between dictatorship and the state policy in Belarus is. In conclusion the president noted he was optimistic about the future.

In conclusion, the president was asked whether he was optimistic about the future.

"I am optimistic because I have children, just like you. I can't help but be optimistic. I want our children to live differently than we do. I want them to live better. This is the basis of my optimism," the head of state said.

"Everything will be all right?" the journalist said.

"If you want this to end well, then it will. Even unexpectedly quickly for you. Seize this moment. NATO, the United States, especially Europe... Listen, why did you, Europe, put your people in this position - the French, the Germans and others. Why?! Let's live in peace!" Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Lukashenko giving interview to Agence France-Presse

Being one of the world's largest news agencies and leader in digital verification, France Presse covers 151 countries. AFP operates a network of five regional centers, 200 bureaus and 50 special correspondents. The total number of employees is about 2,400 people, including more than 1,700 journalists.

He urged to stop, find an agreement and end "this thing, operation and war in Ukraine." "Let's stop, and then we will figure out how to live on. Maybe there will come a time in our lifetime when there will be no borders. Things were going that way. People moved freely. Borders were conditional. So let's stop. No need to go any further. Because further is a nuclear abyss. There is no need to go that far," the president said.