“I very much hope that the events that will take place in the future... We will definitely participate in this Board at the level of the president, we will definitely participate,” the head of state said.
“Maybe not in Washington. Maybe the Board will hold its further meetings somewhere in Europe or the Middle East, perhaps in Israel, or closer, in Türkiye. We will participate in them,” the president emphasized.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Belarus traditionally promotes a peace agenda and has always advocated for the peaceful resolution of conflicts. In this context, he stated that the country is ready to participate in the activities of the Board of Peace. “We have one flag -peace. We want peace, and above all in Ukraine, where our destiny lies,” the president declared. “We all want peace there. And not only in Ukraine, but in other places as well. I think our presence there in the Board of Peace] will be appropriate.”
The head of state also commented on various kinds of false versions that appeared after it became known that he would not participate in the first meeting of the Board of Peace leaders in Washington. The country will be represented there by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Aleksandr Lukashenko primarily pointed to the logistical difficulties that would arise in the event of his personal participation in the event. Such difficulties did not exist, for example, for representatives of the Central Asian countries. “Yes, they went to Washington. Probably, it's more convenient for them. But was I supposed, in connection with these sanctions, to fly to Washington via the Republic of South Africa?” the president asked rhetorically. “If you wanted to see me there, you’d have resolved the issue so that I could fly there and fly back.”
There was also a version that the head of state's participation was supposedly hindered by security issues. “Oh, Lukashenko was afraid, there's a security issue there." Listen, this is not a question for Lukashenko. I have never been afraid of anyone and I am not going to be afraid. This is complete nonsense. ‘Oh, someone will grab Lukashenko there and won't let him go home.’ Well, that's utter nonsense. I can't even imagine that could happen to any other President or to me. So there's nothing to discuss,” the Belarusian leader said on this matter.
Another fabricated story alleged that the Russian president influenced Lukashenko's decision. Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out that at the time of his conversation with Putin, he didn't even know about the Peace Board invitation. The fake news authors couldn't even get their facts straight. “And anyway, Putin is not that kind of person. He might carefully suggest something, hint at things. But to stop me from going? He would have said the opposite: 'Listen, since you'll be at the Board meeting, tell Donald this, that, and the other.' To convey some messages... Not that Russia needs anyone to represent its interests, as Peskov said: they don't need anyone (even Belarus) to represent them,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.
He did not rule out that Russia might join the Board of Peace in the future and could assume a leading role there provided the forum proves its effectiveness. Especially since, sooner or later, a new president will replace Donald Trump, and the United States may give up its position as permanent chair of the Board of Peace.
Aleksandr Lukashenko affirmed that Belarus remains committed to its earlier decision to participate in the Board of Peace. “We are serious about working in the Board of Peace. Deadly serious. Not to grovel before anyone, not to curry favor with anyone, but to maintain our own position, a sovereign position,” the head of state stressed.
At the same time, being an ally of Russia, it is ready to cooperate together on this matter. “Naturally, this position, of both Russia and Belarus, will be unified. We will develop this position because we have the same points of view,” the president explained.
Participation in the Board of Peace will be on the agenda of the upcoming talks between Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin. “We will certainly discuss this matter with President Putin, perhaps during the Supreme State Council meeting. After that, we have an entire day of negotiations scheduled, so we will definitely address it. We will compare our positions and share our perspectives. It's possible that my stance may shift based on Vladimir Putin’s arguments, or he might hear something new from me. Either way, this is a topic we will thoroughly discuss,” the Belarusian leader stated.
