Opinions & Interviews
Lukashenko calls for peace talks on Ukraine
MINSK, 14 December (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko called for peace talks on Ukraine as he met with heads of the delegations participating in the 19th session of the Meeting of Heads of Security Bodies and Intelligence Services of the CIS member states on 14 December, BelTA has learned.
"The trusting nature of our relations is determined by our common history (it cannot be changed), by the economic, scientific and educational potential inherited from the once united country, and by people-to-people ties. This economic space is ours. Indeed, a lot depends on Russia. But let's be honest: Russia changes every month, every year. Today, more than ever, due to certain conditions, Russia is the cementing, unifying force of the entire post-Soviet space. You know what the conditions are. Let's preserve this economic space. Let's keep this common market alive. It is an obvious thing, isn't it? Look at Ukraine," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
He stressed that they provoked Russia into the conflict, including by means of discriminating against citizens in Ukraine on ethnic grounds. "In Russia, Putin was pushed to protect his people. What was he supposed to do?" the president said.
The head of state commented on the contacts with former heads of intelligence services: “Understanding the reasons are very important. I asked an American: ‘What if Mexico had behaved like this against Americans?’ The United States would have crushed Mexico already.”
“Today we see a conflict between the West and Ukraine. The entire border is blocked. They are pursuing a brainless policy. I warned Zelensky: once there emerge another conflict, they will forget about you. Here we go: the Middle East, the internal situation in the United States. Many things have happened and he, the poor guy, has to travel around asking for money,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
According to the head of state, the United States played low in respect to the Ukrainian president. Foreign media often criticize Vladimir Zelensky, but he simply wants the Western partners to fulfill their promises. “Before the war, the Americans told Zelensky: ‘You fight to the last Ukrainian, and we finance you, supply you with weapons’. Why don't they supply, why don't they finance? He demands this from them, but not in public.”
The president emphasized that it was time for the parties to the conflict to come to an agreement: “Nobody needs this ugly situation to continue. You know that Russia is ready for the negotiations. They have never refused to negotiate. Back in the day the West did not want Zelensky to negotiate, now they are pointing their finger at Zelensky saying “if he agrees to negotiate, we are also ready’. A new situation has emerged and they abandoned him. As they did Afghanistan. We remember the shocking scenes from the Kabul airport.”
The head of state also recalled the conflict between Vladimir Zelensky and the military. Aleksandr Lukashenko spoke about the internal political situation in Ukraine during press conferences for foreign and Belarusian journalists a few months ago. For example, in February, the president said that peace should be negotiated primarily with the Ukrainian military.
"Ukraine's military have a somewhat, to put it mildly, different point of view than Ukrainian politicians and President Zelensky. Vladimir Zelensky is well aware of it. The upcoming, as many are already predicting, reshuffles in the military prove this point. The most professional military are most convinced that the war must be stopped. You will see that we - and the Russians in the first place - will have to negotiate with the Ukrainian military. You see what Ukrainian politicians are like. Talking heads from all over the world. You know that actions speak louder than words. Everybody knows how to talk, but not everyone can go to fight at the front or at least visit the front – none of them have been there,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed. "People are used as cannon fodder there, they are ready to sacrifice millions of Ukrainians. The military understand that. The military will be able to negotiate peace agreements."
The head of state explained that he had touched upon the topic of the conflict in Ukraine for a reason: "It is easy to leave, to close the door. It will be difficult to re-connect later. Don't do this. A lot depends on you," he addressed the heads of the special services. “Indeed, we made some mistakes. Things didn't work out in some places, for example, in Armenia, Azerbaijan. Let's fix them."
The president stressed that the escalation of this conflict would not have happened if the parties had listened to the advice back in time and taken the necessary measures. At the same time, the head of state noted that the current Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia is not to blame as he inherited the current situation.
Earlier, Aleksandr Lukashenko called on the countries to settle things peacefully. Specific mutually acceptable measures were considered. However, the preliminary agreements were never implemented. Now it is not easy for both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The border conflict between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan has a long and complex history. However, the leaders of these states managed to find a mutually acceptable solution, the president said: “I praise the leaders of the two countries: they did a great job. They have agreed on more than 90% of the border. I am sure that next year they will sign a border agreement.”
“What are we fighting for? Life is given only once,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.
“Let’s stick together. Do not let them lead you away, because they will use you and then toss you out. For people, trapped in a dead-end situation, there is only one way out: take a gun and fight,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
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