Posted: 24.08.2021 08:56:21

Lukashenko: on situation in Afghanistan

When speaking at an extraordinary session of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) – held in the format of videoconferencing, Aleksandr Lukashenko commented on the situation in Afghanistan, stating, “It’s a topical issue and we are very attentively keeping an eye on what is happening in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the situation must be assessed without emotions – as realistic and adequate as possible.”

photo: www.belta.by

According to the President, the situation in Afghanistan, at first glance, is a huge failure of western policy, “This is true. This is a failure primarily of the United States. It’s an unambiguous example of what the mindless forced imposition of their so-called principles of democracy may lead to. The United States and its allies, as they often do, have completely derogatory treated the historical, ethno-cultural and religious features of the state and, most importantly, people's interests. This is confirmed by what is happening at the Kabul airport."

Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed his opinion: one could say the coalition led by Washington – after twenty years of occupation and huge investment – has embarrassed itself. However, the President proposed to consider it's not the case, "We cannot discount a possible strategic intention for a completely conscious step by the United States to create instability in this region – partly in the area of the CSTO responsibility. They have created problems but are now shifting their solution to others, while actually trying to get away with it. Americans love to behave like this."

The Head of State noted that Belarus may not see the situation in Afghanistan so deeply. Therefore, it is important for us to hear opinions and assessments, on which we will also rely in many respects as allies. The President said, "For our part, we see the key questions and should together answer them. What will happen next? What is the situation on the external borders of the CSTO? What primary and further steps are we to take to neutralise the emerging threats? We should determine these steps by mid-September – by our meeting in Dushanbe."

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, possible plans for the deployment of armed contingents of the American army in the neighbouring countries, including the CSTO member states, are another sensitive issue related to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. "In this respect, the position of Belarus coincided with that of Russia. I believe this topic also deserves careful study from the point of view of security in the area of our organisation's responsibility. I would like to emphasise once again: I support President Putin that this is unacceptable."