President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko explained why Americans have recently seized a Russian-flagged oil tanked and why Venezuela scenario is unrealistic for Belarus at the Spiritual Revival Prize ceremony finals, presenting specials honours to artists and cultural figures and 2025 Belarusian Sports Olympus to prominent individuals on January 8th, sb.by reports
At the end of the ceremony, the Belarusian leader noted, addressing today’s international matters and the recent actions of the United States, “I'm only grateful to Donald [Trump, US President Donald] for publicly saying 'We need oil’. It pains me to say this, but I myself was involved in this situation to some extent at the very beginning of it. I informed Americans that Venezuelans were ready to co-operate with them. You shouldn't do these stupid things, it will be very difficult to get out of. Extremely difficult to get out of.”
“We’ll see what justice is there. There are some decent judges, let's say, and lawyers too. But I passed on all the mensajes from Nicolas Maduro — you’ve seen that we’ve met with Venezuela’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation. He’s his supporter. They have always been together. I know him well too — he is a military man. We met back at Chavez times,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.
The Belarusian leader is convinced that everything Americans wanted could have been achieved without the capture, “But,of course, they had to show their heroism. Who did you decide to show it to? A defenceless man? They killed everyone guarding him and wounded his wife, then captured him and took him to America. Lo and behold, the ‘great heroism’! An empire that spends more than a trillion dollars on weapons...”
“I want you to understand: it all was there — an agreement, money that was paid, and to people in Venezuela too — both military and civilian. There was conspiracy, and there was betrayal. It was all there. That is why we have to be as cautious as possible. When negotiating with the Americans (I warned you too, you probably remember that well), I always told them: I will talk to you. But I also warned my ‘elder brother’ [Russia’s President Vladimir Putin] and I said right before this ugly move: if only there hadn’t been some show from Americans and the whole West. If only they hadn't played us once again. Today, I’m absolutely convinced that this is, indeed, the case. Why seize an empty Russian tanker sailing under the Russian flag just recently? Why do it if you want peace for Ukraine? These events inspire many, many thoughts.”
"But we have been once again reassured that we must be strong. And being strong is not just talk. Unfortunately, we are increasingly forced to spend money on weapons and on training our military. Here we are, celebrating with you in a relatively warm, pleasant place, being cheerful. But there are those whose job it is to defend the Motherland. And it's not just the border guards — there are many others concentrated not far from the border, spread out as necessary, defending our Motherland. Let's thank them for their peaceful military service!” the President of Belarus added, receiving an applause.
Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled last year's State Security of Belarus meeting, where roles were assigned in case 'there is no President’. The head of state is convinced, “The Venezuela scenario is in Belarus is unrealistic. But even if it happens — everything planned for this case. But, I repeat, in order for this not to happen, we — the elite, society, first and foremost — must see and know our place when we’re moving forward. Everyone must do their best at their own place! No matter how dictatorial and authoritarian we may be, you cannot force everyone to do this. Therefore, we are doomed to be at the forefront in this mad, turbulent world. If we realise this, we will succeed.”
At the end of the ceremony, the Belarusian leader noted, addressing today’s international matters and the recent actions of the United States, “I'm only grateful to Donald [Trump, US President Donald] for publicly saying 'We need oil’. It pains me to say this, but I myself was involved in this situation to some extent at the very beginning of it. I informed Americans that Venezuelans were ready to co-operate with them. You shouldn't do these stupid things, it will be very difficult to get out of. Extremely difficult to get out of.”
“We’ll see what justice is there. There are some decent judges, let's say, and lawyers too. But I passed on all the mensajes from Nicolas Maduro — you’ve seen that we’ve met with Venezuela’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation. He’s his supporter. They have always been together. I know him well too — he is a military man. We met back at Chavez times,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.
The Belarusian leader is convinced that everything Americans wanted could have been achieved without the capture, “But,of course, they had to show their heroism. Who did you decide to show it to? A defenceless man? They killed everyone guarding him and wounded his wife, then captured him and took him to America. Lo and behold, the ‘great heroism’! An empire that spends more than a trillion dollars on weapons...”
“I want you to understand: it all was there — an agreement, money that was paid, and to people in Venezuela too — both military and civilian. There was conspiracy, and there was betrayal. It was all there. That is why we have to be as cautious as possible. When negotiating with the Americans (I warned you too, you probably remember that well), I always told them: I will talk to you. But I also warned my ‘elder brother’ [Russia’s President Vladimir Putin] and I said right before this ugly move: if only there hadn’t been some show from Americans and the whole West. If only they hadn't played us once again. Today, I’m absolutely convinced that this is, indeed, the case. Why seize an empty Russian tanker sailing under the Russian flag just recently? Why do it if you want peace for Ukraine? These events inspire many, many thoughts.”
"But we have been once again reassured that we must be strong. And being strong is not just talk. Unfortunately, we are increasingly forced to spend money on weapons and on training our military. Here we are, celebrating with you in a relatively warm, pleasant place, being cheerful. But there are those whose job it is to defend the Motherland. And it's not just the border guards — there are many others concentrated not far from the border, spread out as necessary, defending our Motherland. Let's thank them for their peaceful military service!” the President of Belarus added, receiving an applause.
Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled last year's State Security of Belarus meeting, where roles were assigned in case 'there is no President’. The head of state is convinced, “The Venezuela scenario is in Belarus is unrealistic. But even if it happens — everything planned for this case. But, I repeat, in order for this not to happen, we — the elite, society, first and foremost — must see and know our place when we’re moving forward. Everyone must do their best at their own place! No matter how dictatorial and authoritarian we may be, you cannot force everyone to do this. Therefore, we are doomed to be at the forefront in this mad, turbulent world. If we realise this, we will succeed.”
