Evgeny Popov
MINSK, 15 August (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko offered fact-based answers to a number of topical issues during a two-hour interview with the Big Sunday News show on the Rossiya TV channel. Interviewer Evgeny Popov shared his impressions of the conversation with the Belarusian leader, BelTA has learned.
“The interview went really well. The conversation was thorough and fact-based. We are living in a very complicated time. It is hard to overestimate the importance of cooperation between Russia and Belarus. As for the issues discussed, I was primarily interested in the recent situation with drones in your border areas and ours, and how it may affect our relations and further developments. Of course, it was very interesting to hear Aleksandr Lukashenko's vision of the future of our relations within the Union State and his vision of the Ukrainian conflict settlement. He gave detailed answers. A very businesslike approach and a balanced position,” the TV presenter said.
According to Evgeny Popov, Belarus is under enormous pressure, which makes Aleksandr Lukashenko's balanced approach to the relevant issues all the more impressive.
“It should be said that no [preliminary] conditions were laid down, no topics or issues were discussed in advance. It is clear that the president knows the situation like no one else. I asked the questions that I was interested in getting answers to. I believe Aleksandr Grigoriyevich was extremely frank. I am very grateful to him for that,” the journalist said.
Evgeny Popov was asked of how important the Belarusian president’s viewpoint was for the Russian audience. “It is interesting and very important. Belarus’ ‘we-have-your-back’ position, as Aleksandr Grigoriyevich put it once, or ‘no threat will ever come from here’. This is the most important thing,” Evgeny Popov said.
“As for inter-human relations, I believe we should stop paying any attention to narratives and never-ending attempts to divide us, disunite us or something else. I have been recently to Gomel and met a farmer from Ivanovo there. He grows strawberries and sells them to all CIS countries. This means integration goes beyond political realm. It is really deep. We have a lot to strive for. We are on the right path. I hope we will not stray from it,” the interviewer said.
“It should be said that no [preliminary] conditions were laid down, no topics or issues were discussed in advance. It is clear that the president knows the situation like no one else. I asked the questions that I was interested in getting answers to. I believe Aleksandr Grigoriyevich was extremely frank. I am very grateful to him for that,” the journalist said.
Evgeny Popov was asked of how important the Belarusian president’s viewpoint was for the Russian audience. “It is interesting and very important. Belarus’ ‘we-have-your-back’ position, as Aleksandr Grigoriyevich put it once, or ‘no threat will ever come from here’. This is the most important thing,” Evgeny Popov said.
“As for inter-human relations, I believe we should stop paying any attention to narratives and never-ending attempts to divide us, disunite us or something else. I have been recently to Gomel and met a farmer from Ivanovo there. He grows strawberries and sells them to all CIS countries. This means integration goes beyond political realm. It is really deep. We have a lot to strive for. We are on the right path. I hope we will not stray from it,” the interviewer said.
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