Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko rules out developments in Belarus similar to Venezuela, Syria

MINSK, 9 May (BelTA) – Developments similar to the ones happening in Venezuela and Syria are impossible in Belarus, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko told the media, BelTA has learned.

“It is impossible to bring us to heel or overthrow us. The things that are happening in Venezuela or we saw happen and continue in Syria, Libya and other countries are impossible in Belarus,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The president noted that Belarus did not just foresee the development of conflicts in different parts of the world but also experienced some of these events this or that way. He recalled the street protests in the 1990s, attempts to desecrate and demolish the monuments, including the one on Independence Square in Minsk. We have seen it all. I think it was in 2010 when it was the last attempt at overthrow. Do you remember the storming of the government house? They did not dare to approach the president's residence. We have experienced it all: hybrid attempts, hot clashes, and attempts to overthrow the constitutional order and the current leadership of the country,” the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko underlined that economic development is the most urgent issue for Belarus today. He noted that if everyone works they way they should, if they start with themselves first and then the country’s leadership, then people will live happily.

According to the head of state, thanks to the unity of the Belarusian people it was possible to put a stop to the protests which could lead to clashes. “We understand that we saved the country then (the big picture is seen from afar). Even if we retire tomorrow, we can tell our kids: this is your country, live calmly and peacefully. Even rich neighboring states are thinking of the heritage that they can leave to the children? We avoided this. We are no longer afraid. But we need to think about it all the time, we need to keep it in mind,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.

The president reiterated that the most important thing for Belarus is economy. “We need to pick up steam faster. Today our destiny is in our hands, and how we live depends only on us,” he said.

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