“Not long ago, representatives of Zelensky were right here. I told them directly: ‘Guys, convey this to your president: if he thinks he can speak to us like that and try to drag us into a war, he must understand that the nature of the war will change instantly. This war will be completely different,’” the Belarusian leader said.
“By the way, we received a response: the president and they understand that. So, guys, let’s come to an agreement. We need to reach a substantial agreement,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.
“Let’s drop the bravado, drop the shouting, drop the attempts to strike a blow in that familiar Russian manner. Let’s act like human beings. With an understanding of what Russia is and what we are. There is also an understanding of that,” the president said.
He emphasized that Belarus does not need to be dragged into a war. “There is no need to claim that Boris Gryzlov [Russian Ambassador to Belarus] is organizing a process to draw us into the war. The Russian president and I have discussed this topic a thousand times. How are we supposed to fight against Ukrainians when on that side it is mostly territorial defense forces? Are we going to shoot these machine operators, milkmaids, and working-class guys [who make up the territorial defense forces] who do not want to fight against Belarusians? We also do not want to fight against Ukrainians,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.
“Our position is peaceful. But in any situation, we will stand alongside Russia,” the head of state assured.
Aleksandr Lukashenko continued: “It cannot be otherwise! We understand what can happen if the West meddles here again and wins. I am not talking about Ukraine. This is not about Ukraine!” the president emphasized. “We understand who we are fighting against today. If they want peace, let’s negotiate in substance. We do not need war. We have enough land, enough of our own economy, and enough problems. So no confrontation.”
“I am saying this so that you understand my position. I do not hide it. Peace and only peace. But with the full guarantees that they will not toy with us and, as Putin says, deceive us once again. Because any deception of Russia will, first and foremost, affect Belarus. We are on the front edge of our Fatherland, and we are fully aware of this.’
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