Lukashenko is convinced there will be no hot war
On appointing Pavel Muraveiko First Deputy State Secretary of the Security Council today, President Lukashenko shared his belief that there will be no hot war
The Head of State noted, “Everyone is talking about it: the military, the military, the military. Maybe we have gone too far with this war related topics. But why should we keep silence? Then, if something happens, our people will tell us, “Where have you been? Why did not you tell us about this?” Therefore, while analysing my steps and actions, I often think: maybe we are speaking too much of this. Meanwhile, how is it possible not to talk when such a situation is developing around us?”
Nevertheless, Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed confidence, “I think – I am absolutely convinced – that there will be no shooting war.”
The Head of State developed his idea by saying, “We have got used to comfort too much. Will people want to get out of their comfort zone and start fighting? I think, Pavel [Muraveiko], you know not worse than me what it is to fight. You have probably sat in trenches, shot, crawled during tactical exercises. Those in the West have probably done this the more so.”
With this in view, the President does not think that the West will decide to start a shooting war. However, there is an exception. “If some crazy nationalists in Ukraine do not arrange a provocation, we will not fight. This war has not yet been approached,” he explained.
Aleksandr Lukashenko believes people need to be told about everything honestly – for them to understand that anything can happen at any moment. Provocations on the border confirm this. “They are scanning us: either a helicopter flies into our airspace, or an airplane, or a drone. I am now even not talking about people who are crossing the border. Therefore, a war is in full swing not only in the mass media: an economic war has been unleashed against us as well – hybrid warfare after that riot. We will also have to exercise a serious control over the army activities. If not you, who is aware of what is happening in the troops?” the President noted.
Pavel Muraveiko was Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Belarus – Head of the Main Operational Command before his new appointment and was recommended for the post by his former leaders: the Defence Minister and the Chief of the General Staff. Drawing attention to this circumstance, the Head of State noted, “You should not walk in an embrace with those who have recommended you. You are already the President's representative and must look at the Armed Forces – and not only the army – with my eyes. They recommended you yesterday but, tomorrow, they should understand that you are to be objective with regard to the Armed Forces.”
