Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made a few comments about the ongoing negotiations between Russia and the USA regarding the situation in Ukraine and the possible return of Western companies to the Russian market. He made the relevant statements in his speech in the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on 14 March during an official visit to the Russian Federation, BelTA has learned.
The head of state underlined that Belarus and Russia should first and foremost take into account their national interests and shape their policy without taking heed of outside forces. “If we have a challenge in Ukraine today, we have to resolve it: fight or make peace. It is elementary. If we can fight, let’s fight. If we cannot, let’s move towards peace so that people will not die,” he said.
Continuing the line of thought, Aleksandr Lukashenko thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his efforts to put a stop to combat operations. At the same time he drew attention to the lack of concrete proposals from the USA. “Thank you, Donald, for setting out to help us make peace. But we shouldn’t be excited by all these talks. Give me facts. We should look at them so that they wouldn’t hurt us,” the Belarusian leader noted.
For instance, if the return of Western companies is under consideration, it is necessary to prioritize national interests, too. The president remarked that on the whole the possibility holds no fear from the point of view of tougher competition because Belarus and Russia have been operating with an open market for a long time and compete with other companies. “We have never had it easy. But the West wants to come back. We will consider all the proposals on the basis of the situation on the ground in military parlance. If a manufacturing business is profitable for us, we will take it,” the head of state explained. As for the provision of any preferences, they will be granted only if Belarus or Russia is interested in some special, unique technologies. “Instead of wholesale welcome,” the president warned. “Who can guarantee that they will come and everything will be fine?”
In that regard he drew attention to the USA’s policy on Ukraine and rare-earth metals. “Donald let it slip that they will dig at the border and it will be the best protection from Russia. Is he wrong? Are we going to attack open pits of American companies, which will operate there? You see what ambitions they have. This is why we should calmly look at all their proposals.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko said that during the meeting with Vladimir Putin, which is supposed to take place in the evening on 14 March, they intend to discuss negotiations with the USA among other things.
“I am sure that Americans have no plans. They are sounding out the situation. Let’s see what they want,” the head of state said. In his words, such a model of conduct is characteristic of Donald Trump and his team. They monitor the situation all over the world in search for advantageous proposals.
“They want to feel around for something and make an offer… And the ball starts rolling: one statement in the morning, a different statement in the evening, a third statement at lunch time, with each of them contradicting the others. Try to sort them out. This is why we should calmly look at it. By the way, you [Russia’s leadership] are doing just that. Well done. Mass media are in uproar… But you are doing the right thing. We observe. We are receiving, as KGB officers say. We will respond later,” the Belarusian leader remarked.
