Фото: Пул первого
Alyaksandr Lukashenka convened a meeting of the Security Council, his press service reported. Opening the session, he once again insisted that Belarus does not intend to attack any country, though the increase in military spending in neighbouring states, he said, raises concerns.
“We cannot ignore this mobilisation and militarisation. A simple, earthly question arises: if someone is doing something, then they need it for something. These countries would not be spending huge sums merely to ‘counter’ Russia and Belarus. We have no intention of attacking anyone. We have everything we need,” he stated.
Against this backdrop, Lukashenka argued the country must update its defence posture.
“We must actualise our defensive measures so that everyone sees we are ready to defend every inch of our land.”
He stressed that Minsk seeks no conflict: “We do not want war; we do not consider anyone our adversary or competitor. Nevertheless, we prepare for war in order to prevent it. Our interests are very simple. They do not extend beyond our borders.”
Lukashenka reiterated that Belarus has Russia’s full support regarding the deployment of nuclear weapons.
“This is why the question of returning nuclear weapons to us was raised — and we did so. We placed the newest Russian systems on combat duty. We have full understanding and support from Russia. We are not going to attack anyone. Enough — we have fought enough,” he said.
He also touched on the peace process involving the United States, Russia and Ukraine, speaking approvingly of U.S. President Donald Trump.
“People try to downplay Trump’s role, but in this regard he is doing well. His statements yesterday will not go unnoticed. He wants to stop the war so that people do not die. One can twist this however one likes, but what can you say against what the Americans are doing today?”
Even if peace were achieved “today or tomorrow,” Lukashenka said it would not make his situation easier — he believes pressure on him would continue.
Turning to relations with Lithuania, he demanded that Vilnius sit down at the negotiating table with Minsk, insisting that third parties should not be involved and that rhetoric will not resolve the situation with Lithuanian cargo trucks stranded in Belarus.