Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: We will do our utmost to coexist peacefully with Ukraine

PINSK DISTRICT, 4 October (BelTA) – Belarus will do its utmost to coexist peacefully with Ukraine, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during his meeting with the residents of Parokhonsk agro-town on 4 October, BelTA has learned.

When answering questions of the local residents, the head of state emphasized that he had to pay special attention to the situation on the border with Ukraine in order not to miss an unexpected blow, as it happened to the Soviet Union at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. That is why Belarusian armed forces are deployed on the southern border. This is a response to the actions of Ukraine.

"If they deploy the troops, we do the same to avoid unexpected situations like in 1941. I know what happened then, so we should not make the same mistakes. We need to be prepared. If they increase tension, move troops and so on, we respond. If they do anything, we respond. We do everything in response. We never initiated any confrontation. By no means. We do not need it. What is war? It is a disaster. I do not want a war, therefore we do everything to end it peacefully," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The president remarked that contacts with Ukrainians are maintained through certain channels. According to the head of state, they discuss humanitarian issues, such as children's health rehabilitation, but politics is more important for Ukraine.

"By no means are we escalating the situation. We do not need it. But we know that if they have a concentration of armed forces somewhere (who knows why they amass troops and equipment), as soon as any tension comes from that side, I put up a barrier with my servicemen," the president said. "It is clear that we did not just gather them there, blocking the border. If there is a serious escalation, every commander of a squad, platoon, battalion should know where is the part of forest and road that he will defend. When the enemies see our readiness, they will definitely not attack.

"Do not worry, we are not going to war with Ukraine. They are not going either. How are they going to handle it? Why would we do that? Our people live there. We will do our utmost to coexist peacefully with Ukraine, if they want it. The people want it, but so far the leadership of Ukraine, they say, is ruled by the Americans," the president stated.

The head of state emphasized that the main thing for Belarus now is the economy. He is sure that if all the agricultural enterprises show such good results as Parokhonskoye, there will be no war.

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