MINSK, 15 June (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko warned Western countries about the consequences of militarization and a return to universal conscription in an interview with the Al Arabiya television channel, BelTA has learned.
In one of the questions, the journalist noted that many European countries are currently channeling enormous financial resources into militarization. Production volumes in the military sector are growing rapidly. Some nations have even begun discussing the possibility of reinstating universal conscription.
The president was asked how he assesses these trends and what possible consequences might follow.
“This is a disaster,” the head of state believes. He is certain that in the future, the question will arise of what to do with an excessive number of military-industrial enterprises and how to repurpose them for civilian needs.
“Right now, the economy [of Western countries] is sustained largely by this militarization. Yet one must consider: what comes next? We will still arrive at peace. One way or another, we’ll get to peace. And then we’ll need food, clothing, tractors, civilian cars - all the things people need to live. Not automatic weapons, machine guns, tanks, or warplanes,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
He pointed out that history has already seen something like this. “We went through it [in the post-Soviet space]. After the USSR fell apart (especially in Russia) they called it conversion. And what happened? Instead of tank weaponry, they started making pots, plates, spoons, and forks. That’s completely wrong for high-tech factories, and these were defense plants,” the president said.
As for Western countries returning to universal conscription after having previously abandoned it, Aleksandr Lukashenko believes this will be problematic, as society has developed a particular attitude toward military service. “Those who do not serve now no longer want to serve,” the president observed. “People’s minds will have to be reshaped. In the West, that will not be easy - in the USA and in Western countries.”
Belarus has acted more farsightedly in this regard. “We approached this reasonably. We did not abandon universal conscription, but we introduced contract service where it is needed,” the head of state explained. “We have units that are exclusively officer-based, where only contract soldiers serve.”
“This issue does not concern us, as far as conscription goes. What concerns us is that there be no escalation, no war on the territory of Belarus,” the president emphasized.
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