Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: Belarus is not going to get involved into war

MINSK, 24 February (BelTA) – Belarus is not going to get involved into the war, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko told the media in Minsk on 24 February, BelTA has learned.

"I want to emphasize once again: our people should be sure that we will not make any erroneous steps. We will not. We are not going to get involved into the war. Secondly, no one has asked us about it. They are able to figure it out on their own, without us. But I emphasize once again: if necessary, we will provide all possible support," the Belarusian leader said.

He once again recalled the mutual agreements and obligations of Belarus and Russia within the framework of the Union State. "We are allies, we have a corresponding agreement. There is no reproaching us for this," the president said. He also pointed to the actions, for example, of Poland, Lithuania, which sent their citizens to participate in the U.S. operations in Afghanistan, Iraq. "Why did the Poles, Lithuanians, Ukrainians go to Afghanistan and Iraq when the Americans were fighting its wars there?” Aleksandr Lukashenko asked a reasonable question.  “What did they have to go there? Because the United States is their ally. Why make complaints against us? Russia is our ally.”

“Our priority is to take care of our country,” stressed the head of state. “At the solemn meeting [to mark Fatherland Defenders Day on 23 February 2022] I said: ‘We must avoid getting involved into this situation on the one hand, but we should not become betray our ally either.’ Now you probably understand what I meant,” he added.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also said that his meeting with Belarusian journalists was scheduled for 24 February. The president assured that the event would not be canceled: “I was set to meet with Belarusian journalists today. We are not canceling this event. We will postpone it a little. Later the situation will become clearer.”

The president asked the military to communicate the country’s position openly, though avoiding the alarmist rhetoric.

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the country functions as usual. “27 February is the main voting day [on the referendum]. We need to show everyone that the country lives as usual. We go to work, produce goods and food, solve other issues, and organize sport and other activities.”

“I think we will meet and talk again in this format later,” the head of state told the media.

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