MINSK, 26 May (BelTA) – The leaders of the USA and Russia could meet in Minsk if they want to discuss the situation in our country, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with MPs, members of the Constitutional Commission and representatives of government bodies on 26 May, BelTA has learned.
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the forthcoming meeting of the presidents of Russia and the USA is a mainstream topic now. It was mentioned that among other things the presidents want to discuss the situation in Ukraine and Belarus.
“Okay, let them talk about Belarus. Putin and I will discuss the United States on Friday. I just don't know what things Biden is going to discuss about Belarus (Putin has a good grasp of the situation). I am concerned he does not know where Belarus is located. They are absolutely unfamiliar with the situation,” the president noted.
The head of state said that if the leaders of the USA and Russia want to discuss Belarus, they'd better do it in Minsk. Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced that his Russian counterpart will be pleased to come to Belarus. “I want to invite them publicly: if they want to discuss Belarus, they can come to our country. We will properly welcome them and discuss all issues. I will even listen to all the nasty things that [White House Press Secretary Jen] Psaki will write for Biden to tell me. We will have an open conversation. To sit in Switzerland and lecture Putin on Belarus' problems is ridiculous,” the president said.
He added that Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden had already discussed Belarus by telephone, and, according to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the U.S. leader had had to make excuses. “In this regard Putin did a decent thing. Later he called me and apologized for discussing Belarus without permission. I thanked Putin for raising the Belarusian topic in the conversation with him. Therefore, let them discuss Belarus. At least, he will know where it is located,” the head of state concluded.
