MINSK, 25 October (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko granted an interview to the Izvestia newspaper on the sidelines of a BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan. Among other things he answered the question of whether the recognition of Crimea and new regions as Russian territories was on Minsk’s and Moscow’s agenda, BelTA has learned. The reporter also wondered whether the Belarusian leader intends to visit Crimea.
“Crimea? I think you’ve asked this question more as a reporter. Well, I will go there if necessary. I am a decisive person. Well, why do I need to go to Crimea today or yesterday? I identified my stance on the matter at the very beginning. I simply repeat what I said at the very beginning of Crimean events: Crimea is Russian de facto but not de jure. Why? Because these matters have been wrapped up unilaterally from the legal point of view. And the so-called international community (it doesn’t worry Russia, I would do the same) does not recognize Crimea as Russian. That’s my stance,” the head of state stated.
At the same time he pointed out that Belarus started cooperating with Crimea right away. Belarus cooperates with Crimea now and cooperates with the other regions. “By the way, Ukraine’s leadership and the military reproach us strongly for it. They say that Belarusian organizations that cooperate with the captured territories (as they put it) will face sanctions. But they are already under sanctions. No more sanctions are possible. Well, if Donbass and Crimea need something that we have, we sell it to them. After all, they pay for it. Why shouldn’t we cooperate with them?” the president remarked.
“And then again I think that it is not entirely right for Ukraine to dictate terms of who we should cooperate with. Ukraine was the first country to enforce sanctions against us. Before the European Union and America did. What can they demand from us? This is why this matter is at least delayed. When I go to Crimea, I will invite you as a reporter. I promise,” Aleksandr Lukashenko concluded.
Follow us on:
