MINSK, 26 May (BelTA) – There is no point in trying to destabilize the situation in Belarus, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with MPs, members of the Constitutional Commission and representatives of the government bodies on 26 May, BelTA has learned.
“We should preserve our country and pass it on to our children in a normal condition. We should not hand problems down to our children and grandchildren, we should solve them now. The time has chosen us. We have found ourselves on the frontline of a new cold, even freezing cold war. Only countries that will be able to resist this hybrid pressure will hold out,” the Belarusian president said. “Sincerity, honesty, and decency are our strengths. I want to tell the entire global community: there is no use trying to destabilize the situation in Belarus!” he added.
“We recovered from all shocks long ago. We have been moving forward, having acquired immunity against any shocks. People will not take to the streets again because they have understood what it is about. Our sense of ourselves has become stronger. Belarusians have dignity and will not let terrorists and extremists manipulate them,” the head of state believes. “Things have calmed down, people have figured out what is what. Patriotic organizations have sprung up (already existing ones woke up, so to say), some media and journalists have shown that they have sharp tongues. They work not only on state television, but also on the internet, and they do it well. The government has made its stance clear. National values took center stage and have been laid down in the legislation,” he said.
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the Belarusian nation expressed a principled position regarding certain issues, the country fixed gaps in security and stepped up efforts to protect the citizens who ensure stability and development. The economy is rebounding, real salaries and pensions are growing. “Slower than we want, but it is understandable after the world went crazy because of the pandemic. I assure you: we will never experience hunger like we did in the 1990s,” the Belarusian president stressed.
At the same time, the president said that there is no time to let the guards down. “We should go forward even faster and give it our all,” he stressed.
Last year, the relations between the West and the East hit rock bottom, due to which Belarus has come under pressure, which has been building up because of some countries, Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out. “Everyone is trying to tear us apart or to drag us to their side. But we should stay strong. I have said several times: the price for sovereignty and independence is high. Every Belarusian may be directly affected by this amid the increased competition in the world,” he said.
The whole world understands that a multi-dimensional, multi-level hybrid war is being waged against Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted. “The goal is clear. We also know who would benefit from demonizing Belarus. We are a small country, but we will respond appropriately. The world knows examples of similar situations. Before making any rushed moves, remember, that Belarus is in the center of Europe, and if things spin out of control here – it will be another world war,” he said.
Belarus does not expect to win this war, the head of state noted. However, even if the country stands alone, which will not happen, Aleksandr Lukashenko believes, it will inflict unacceptable damage to the enemy, he said. “All this is laid down in our military documents. This is why they'd better think twice before showing off weapons near our borders. Sensible people understand what is happening. I would like to ask those who are behind the provocation: don't you realize what catastrophic consequences it may bring? Do you understand what you are doing? You know that we are in the right and that you will have to answer anyway. Please, stop!” he urged.
Difficult times are ahead of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted. “We will respond to all sanctions, attacks, and provocations accordingly. We do not want to start a fight in the center of the continent. We do not want this, we have had enough. But the West does not leave us other options,” he said.
“We will overcome all temporary difficulties, sanctions, just like we did in the past,” the president pointed out.
Three billion euros that has been promised to Belarus if it initiates reforms makes up just a third of the cost of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, Aleksandr Lukashenko said. In return, they ask for ‘reforms' that would destroy the Belarusian economy. “In the end, the country would be plundered and reduced to poverty within a day,” the head of state believes.
“We should stand together and hold out. We should go our way and head to places where we are welcome: to our export markets, where we feel comfortable, where we are accepted. We have devised certain measures that will facilitate the country's development,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “The situation with foreign trade is not that bad, even surprisingly good. If the West do not want to be our friendly neighbor – so be it. We will compensate for the sanctions by stepping up our activities and presence in other markets. We will turn away from the ageing Europe to rapidly growing Asia. Belarus is ready to become a part, an outpost of new Eurasia,” he added.
