Lukashenko: peoples of Europe being drawn into conflict with Russia, into confrontation with China
The President of Belarus draws attention to an important problem: the peoples of Europe are being drawn into a conflict with Russia, into a confrontation with China, which actually means the loss of the market – not only Belarusian, but also Russian – for European goods, the lack of access to inexpensive and stable Russian raw materials, the ruin of entire industries, the service sector, and the deterioration of the well-being of their own citizens. Meanwhile, until quite recently, the pragmatic co-operation of the European Union with Belarus and Russia brought them tangible benefits – as stated by Aleksandr Lukashenko, delivering his annual Address to the Belarusian People and the National Assembly.
The Belarusian leader noted, “Today, the peoples of Europe are being drawn into a reckless arms race, are being plunged into economic stagnation and moral depression. They are being drawn into a conflict with Russia, into a confrontation with China. And look: they are even afraid to move! Do you think they wanted to deliver these Leopard tanks there [to Ukraine]? Especially the Germans, who were forced to produce even more of them and supply them there. Did they want? No! But they take everything there. They were told by the regional committee in Washington – and they did it. Here is the discipline!”
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the result of such a confrontation is disappointing, “In fact, this means the loss of the market (not only Belarusian, it is small) – the Russian market! – for European goods, the lack of access to inexpensive and stable Russian raw materials, the ruin of entire industries, the service sector, the deterioration of the well-being of their own citizens. Meanwhile, until quite recently, the pragmatic co-operation of the EU with us and Russia brought them tangible benefits. What it means to swim in the wake of foreign interests is shown even more vividly by the Ukrainian situation. Look at these madmen in power, who are in Poland (I do not criticise the people)! They closed the borders, but who was harmed? This is a problem with far-reaching consequences, since they closed the border, which should be open for trade with other states! What is wrong with Kazakhstan, other Central Asian countries, China, which trades with the EU through Belarus? They have made life difficult for these countries and they think that it will pass quietly? Not at all! They are unable to foresee even in two steps what will happen tomorrow. And then they will blame us. They closed the border – but we don’t go there, since they have imposed sanctions against our producers! And the fact that fewer fugitives will come to us, so we don’t need them.”
