Opinions & Interviews

DIVIN, 1 June (BelTA) – The clash of major powers is the key threat to peace. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement as he talked to border service specialists and their families at the border guard station Divin in Kobrin District, Brest Oblast on 1 June, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko said: “As far as I can see, clashes of interests of major countries is the key threat. Take a look at what is going on. USA vs China is the key clash. China is on the way to the top. The country is a leader in many fields. Naturally, Americans have no intention of giving up their leadership. Then there are clashes between Russia and the West, Russia and the USA. There are tensions between India and China and a lot of problems between China and Vietnam over the Sprightly Islands.”

The president stressed that these clashes manifest themselves in other places. For instance, in the situation in the Donbass area in Ukraine and in Syria. “It is an open confrontation then,” noted Alexander Lukashenko.

Speaking about Syria, Alexander Lukashenko noted that interests of major powers are at stake over there. “Russia, Iran, and the USA are often at odds over there,” stated the Belarusian leader.

“The same situation is observed in Ukraine. It seems to me that there could be peace over there if other parties were not interested in this confrontation. You know who,” said the head of state.

Alexander Lukashenko mentions tensions between the USA and the European Union in trade in steel and aluminum. He mentioned that sanctions are often used to deal with various issues. “What does a sanction represent? Sanctions result in the loss of money and in tensions in the society. Every party safeguards its own interests. I don’t want these trade and information wars to evolve into a hot conflict, particularly a conflict between major powers with their nuclear potentials. Everyone would feel the heat then,” stressed the president.

Alexander Lukashenko remarked that small and medium countries should not blindly follow the wake of major global players. “We should pursue a hard-stance policy and defend our interests together,” believes the Belarusian leader.

The head of state mentioned the situation in Ukraine while talking about prospects of the development of the geopolitical situation in the region. In his words, there is some uncertainty in this matter. “If Ukraine joins NATO, it’s one thing. If it doesn’t, it’s another situation. If ultra nationalist trends with the desire to be at war with everyone prevail there, it’s a third situation, a more complicated one,” said Alexander Lukashenko. “Russia is afraid of Ukraine joining NATO. I often tell Russians that there may come a time when we will be happy that Ukraine is part of NATO instead of becoming a country ruled by bandits and warlords. If it does become such a country, it won’t be a picnic for Russia, Belarus, and the rest of the world.”