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"On Point"
MINSK, 31 May (BelTA) - Minsk retains its status as a neutral negotiating platform between East and West, Igor Korotchenko, Russian journalist and military expert, editor-in-chief of the Russian National Defense magazine, said in the latest episode of the V Teme [On Point] project on BelTA's YouTube channel.
“I believe that Belarus has more opportunities for dialogue with Europe than we do. This is because you do not have such antagonistic contradictions with them as we do. Although you are under sanctions, Minsk, as an international platform for negotiations, seems to me to be quite realistic for some future meetings and contacts,” Igor Korotchenko said.
The military expert drew attention to the lack of neutral countries in Europe, which makes Minsk a unique platform for negotiations. “There are no more neutral countries in Europe. They do not exist. Finland and Sweden are NATO members, Austria is de facto in the Western camp, Switzerland is also in the Western camp. Therefore, Minsk remains the platform where, in principle, the East and West can try to agree on something,” he said.
Igor Korotchenko believes it is important to use Minsk for talks with reasonable European elites. “It makes sense to seek such opportunities with reasonable European elites within the framework of technical conferences and the Eurasian security model. Let them come to Minsk. We are ready to talk to them here together with you in order to find politicians and forces that take a responsible attitude towards the future of their peoples,” the expert added.
In his words, there are political forces in Europe that are interested in dialogue. “There are such forces in Europe — in Germany, France, and other countries. We need direct dialogue. We need a format where we can discuss this. This is what makes Minsk unique as a negotiating platform. In this regard, I share the approach of the political leadership of the Republic of Belarus when it says: yes, Minsk is that platform. We are not imposing anything, we are saying you are welcome,” he said.
Igor Korotchenko believes that for successful dialogue, it is necessary to strengthen Minsk's position and involve experts. “I think that first we need to strengthen our position when intellectuals, political scientists, and practicing politicians come here to seek consensus and understanding of common risks and threats. I believe that Europeans and the population do not feel the threat of war, and we must send a message: we see the risks, let's talk about how to prevent a world war,” Igor Korotchenko emphasized.
He added that confrontation could lead to disaster and that a balance between the economy and defense is important: “A stubborn position of antagonism, a new Atlantic wall that will then come crashing down on us, will lead to catastrophic consequences. But at the same time, we must take a balanced approach to the relationship between economic development and military spending.”
Igor Korotchenko also noted the role of nuclear weapons in the country's security. “Unfortunately, we cannot do without nuclear weapons because, with all due respect to our North Korean friends, we cannot turn into a big North Korea. In this regard, we must build capabilities to have a good defense, a balanced and developing economy, and an effective financial and credit system,” the expert concluded.
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