Opinions & Interviews

FM: Belarusians will not tolerate diktat towards their country

MINSK, 31 May (BelTA) - The vast majority of Belarusians will stand to the end, but will not tolerate the diktat against their country, Belarus Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said in an interview to the Russian newspaper Kommersant, BelTA has learned.

“We take very seriously the reports that a fourth package of sanctions against a number of sensitive industries of our economy is in the pipeline. We will respond to these things to offset the sanctions. I cannot say what these measures will be, but we have a great experience of living under sanctions. We see how some countries today live under sanctions, take Iran, for example, or the economic blockade of Cuba. We would not like the situation to escalate further but we believe that we have to withstand this situation,” said Vladimir Makei.

According to the minister, he conveyed this position to his Western counterparts, but they “do not feel that Belarus is ready to go to the end to defend the independence and sovereignty of the state”. “They are trying to destroy our economy through sanctions and attempts to support the opposition. They think that further deterioration of the economic situation will lead to the people taking to the streets and sweeping away the current government. I absolutely disagree. I am convinced that today the majority of the people will unite in this situation and will support sovereignty, and independence, and autonomy in foreign and domestic policy in spite of this pressure. I am sure that the vast majority of people will be ready to stand to the bitter end, but will not submit to the diktat, which is now happening in respect of Belarus,” said the diplomat.

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