Lukashenko: Belarus will go on despite West's sanctions

MINSK, 22 November (BelTA) – Belarus will live on despite the sanctions of the West, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said in an interview with BBC, BelTA has learned.

“The whole world has seen your face. And you have seen it too on this border [the refugee crisis on the border of Belarus and the European Union]. We will find partners and allies other than Great Britain. We have not really cooperated with you before anyway. We will not die, we will live on. And our life will be better every new day, because there are countries we cooperate with. Huge countries. And we will sell what we need to sell, despite your sanctions,” the president said.

Along with this, he noted that neither side needs sanctions: “I am not an idiot, of course. And I understand that neither you, nor even more so I need these sanctions. Yet, if you started using the language of sanctions with me and refused to recognize my legitimacy, well, the Lord is with you. I say it again: I have already got used to it over a quarter of a century.”

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During the conversation Aleksandr Lukashenko also pointed out there are many kids among the refugees. “I know you can see it. Take them. And about 5,000 will stay with me. I will work on sending them to Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Afghanistan where they came from,” the head of state shared the details.

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"It was not the EU that elected me. You have not recognized me as the president for a quarter of a century. The Belarusian people elect me. So for me it is important how I am seen by my own people," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

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The head of state reminded that Belarus and the European Union signed a readmission agreement in 2020. The sides had been working towards signing the agreement for a long time, a great deal of work had been done.

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“We have not received a single request to stay in Belarus so far. If we get some, then in accordance with the law and very quickly, as opposed to you, we will process these requests,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

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Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Western reporters constantly ask about people, who were hurt during protests, but never talk about injuries sustained by law enforcement personnel.

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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.”

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“I am not the kind of person who exacts revenge. Remember this if you want to understand me as a person. I don't fight women, I say it often. I'm not a man of revenge, because I grew up in such conditions and I understand what revenge is. Therefore, do not attribute this to me and do not say words if you do not understand the situation that is happening here,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

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