Belarus is having a dialogue with Americans not against Russia and not against China. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement in an interview with the RT TV channel, BelTA has learned.
The head of state commented on the Belarusian-American talks, several rounds of which had taken place in Minsk. The Belarusian leader pointed out that in Russia, among other countries, he is sometimes criticized for having the dialogue with Washington. However, this dialogue is not conducted against Minsk’s closest allies – Moscow and Beijing – a point Aleksandr Lukashenko has made more than once. Apart from that, it was Russia and China that helped out Belarus when the West imposed sanctions against the republic.
“If anyone in Russia reproaches me for negotiating with Americans, I can ask them a question: aren’t you holding dialogue with Americans yourselves? You are. But I am holding dialogue with Americans not against Russia and not against China,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “At the first meeting I told them: guys, Russia and China are not just our long-standing partners, they are friends. And when you, Americans and Europeans, were introducing sanctions against us, China and Russia opened a door for us. Thanks to that we were practically saved. Why should I conduct any dialogue or any policy against them today?”
The president emphasized that Belarus and Russia have signed the tightest treaty – the Treaty on the Establishment of the Union State of Belarus and Russia – which defines relations between the two countries. “We are trying to build kind of a union state, walking as if on thin ice, we are trying to do something. Did Americans and the West not know that? They did! And I religiously honor this treaty,” he added.
At the same time, the Belarusian leader stated that he fully understands that the West has long aimed to pit the former Soviet republics against Russia. “You have always provoked us, Ukraine, and other post-Soviet republics against Russia. And Vladimir Zelensky knew that without a doubt. I also knew and I know now,” he said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also assured that he is well aware of how the West views him: “Whatever negotiations the West holds with me, I fully understand that I am not their son of a bitch. They would gladly chew me up and spit me out. I understand that perfectly well. But even in such a situation (because I am the president of this country, of the Belarusian people), I am forced and must proceed from the interests of the people, not my own interests.”
Continuing the line of thought, the head of state explained that Belarus is forced to pursue a multi-vector policy dictated by the economy. “We sell more than half of the goods and services we produce on foreign markets. We have an open economy, this is why we are forced to pursue our interests in the West, in Russia, in China, and in Africa. Wherever everyone is moving – both Russia and Americans. This is our interest in order to live, as I’ve said recently. Not survive, but live. This is our interest. It stems from life itself. What can you reproach us for? Nothing,” he said.