Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: I am truly committed to Belarus’ independence

MINSK, 9 January (BelTA) – I am committed to Belarus’ independence, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he took part in a ceremony to present the Spiritual Revival award, special president's prizes to art luminaries and the Belarusian Sports Olympus award on 9 January, BelTA has learned.

“You might have noticed that I have talked a lot about sovereignty and independence lately, even in official speeches like the New Year address. Believe me, I mean it. There is no lie here. This is not an act to please someone. I am truly committed to this idea, even more than that,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

The president remembered the history of the Belarusian people that never had a chance to build a sovereign and independent state without bloodshed. “We have no right to waste this unique opportunity. If we waste it, then as always, our own whining, empty talk, and whims will get in our way. We will have to explain to the people who have stayed on this land why we have failed. We are building this state on a solid basis we have laid. Let’s do it without big words – we are doing this not only for ourselves, but for the most precious ones we have – for our children,” the head of state noted.

“I am lucky to be the first president of this sovereign and independent state and, pardon my immodesty, to have played the leading role in building it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. He noted that he is not making excuses and is not afraid of anyone, he just wants to warn the people that Belarus is going through a difficult period. “We are not just walking on thin ice or on a razor edge, we are swaying left and right. God forbid we make a wrong move – we could lose everything. It is time to stop disturbing peaceful, quiet and clean streets. It is time to stop talking about sovereignty and independence and assuming that someone wants to betray Belarus. Maybe, someone wants to do this… But definitely not the first president who helped build this country,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks