In an interview with RT host Rick Sanchez on April 17 in Minsk, Aliaksandr Lukashenka spoke about negotiations with the American side and a possible meeting with Donald Trump.
Lukashenka confirmed that the topic of a “big deal” has been discussed since the first days of contacts with the United States, but said he is not seeking at all costs to visit America.
“It is not true that I am eager to visit the United States of America and simply shake hands with Donald Trump. I will say frankly — it would be nice to see this man face to face and shake his hand. But this is not an end in itself. This is not the main thing. I am not Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who would run to Donald Trump to ask for money or weapons. Do I need it? I do. Money would be good, and weapons would be good. But I understand that I am in a situation that is radically different from Zelenskyy’s position. I do not need to bow down and beg for anything. It would be nice, but for now we are managing without it,” he said.
According to him, the meeting will take place only when it is prepared at the working level and meets the interests of both sides.
“If the American side sees that tomorrow it will be a meeting of a vassal with an emperor, that will not happen either. This is not some kind of, you know, pompousness, it is not some kind of cocky politics. No, this is the policy of a real president who respects his own people. Therefore, I am ready for this meeting. We are ready. We are ready for a deal, but it must be prepared so that it includes the interests of both the United States of America and Belarus. And Americans must understand — many in Europe have already understood — that sanctions have not played their role. We have adapted. Therefore, political prisoners, sanctions — listen, these are minor issues. We have far more issues that need to be resolved. And this is the topic of the big deal. As soon as we prepare this at the lower level, we are ready to meet Donald and sign this agreement,” Lukashenka said.
Asked whether Trump’s ultimate goal might be to use a deal with Belarus to improve relations with Russia, Lukashenka said he допускает such a scenario and would welcome it.
The question was as follows:
“Please tell me, is it possible that through a deal with the Republic of Belarus, through this big deal, Trump’s ultimate goal is to improve relations with Russia? That is, not only to improve relations with Belarus and, on the basis of mutual interests, reach some agreements, but then to continue this positive dynamic and reach an agreement with Russia, possibly lift sanctions on Russia and so on. Could this be his ultimate goal?”
“I do not know. But I would be glad if Donald Trump, ultimately, in the end, saw much more behind our conversations and negotiations. Therefore, I think this is вполне possible. Perhaps he is probing a certain position of Belarus and projecting it onto Russia. That would be normal and reasonable. But, at the very least, we will do everything for this. Because we understand: if you reach an agreement — Americans with Russia — it will be twice as good for us as if you reach an agreement with us. You need to reach an agreement with Russia, and you can reach an agreement. Especially during Putin’s presidency. He is a person with whom it is not only possible to talk, but to reach agreements. But one must clearly understand: if you promised — you must deliver,” he replied.
