MINSK, 22 November (BelTA) – There will be no dialogue and no negotiations with traitors. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the relevant statement in an interview with the BBC on 19 November, BelTA has learned.
The BBC reporter mentioned President of Russia Vladimir Putin, who had advised the Belarusian government to start negotiations with the opposition (at a session of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs board on 18 November).
Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed: “Vladimir Putin did not advise me anything. I talked to him for over an hour [over the phone on 19 November]. I heard no advice from his side about any matters.”
The Belarusian leader went on saying: “As for the opposition. In addition to our negotiating with the opposition they are establishing their own political party now. Their points of view differ from mine. They have a different outlook on Belarus. But they are not traitors. And they don't live in the country at your expense.” As an example Aleksandr Lukashenko referred to the institution Roundtable of Democratic Forces and its head Yuri Voskresensky. “They are patriots. We have a dialogue and will negotiate with this opposition regardless of their points of view.”
“But there is also fugitive [opposition]. There are traitors staying in Lithuania, Poland, and in your country,” the head of state pointed out. “They pay for their upkeep. Lithuania mentioned the figure the other day. The upkeep of one fugitive staying in Lithuania costs about €400,000. We will have no dialogue and no negotiations with these. These are not opposition, they are traitors.”
“They are traitors of the Belarusian state. They have fled the country and stay abroad. Why did they flee? I know what you'll tell me: ‘They are afraid of repressions and jail time. Yes?' Well, I can tell you: if you stand up for the people, if you are ready to fight for the people, if you are a revolutionary, then fight. All the revolutionaries had a hard life,” he added.
Continuing the line of thought, Aleksandr Lukashenko drew a parallel with the situation in Russia and the possibility of a dialogue between Vladimir Putin and Alexei Navalny. “Once Putin and Navalny start negotiations, I will immediately start negotiations with Svetlana [Tikhanovskaya],” the Belarusian leader noted with a bit of humor.
“For me Navalny is a sellout. Putin will never negotiate with him. He is not opposition for Putin, he is a traitor of Russia's interests,” Aleksandr Lukashenko explained. For instance, the communist party can be called opposition of the Russian government. “He [Vladimir Putin] has a dialogue with communists. He talks to them. Same with me: I am ready to talk to those, who are in the country and are patriots,” the president noted.
