Lukashenko responded to those criticising Belarus for its support of Russia in special military operation in Ukraine
Speaking to media representatives following his today’s talks with President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh in Ulaanbaatar, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko responded to those who criticise Belarus for supporting Russia in the war in Ukraine
photo: www.president.gov.by
The Belarusian leader was naturally informed on how the Mongolian society and the world as a whole react to reports about his visit. The Head of State traditionally receives information from a variety of sources and studies it in detail. The reaction of a part of society (actually, Mongolia’s society is heterogeneous and complex) was negative. In addition, the country is currently going through an acute political period, and parliamentary elections are soon coming. As a result, the local opposition tried to organise anti-Belarusian rallies in the centre of Ulaanbaatar – with classic false stories and theses focusing on the special military operation, aggression, support for Russia, and so on.
Definitely, Aleksandr Lukashenko could not ignore that. He reacted harshly when speaking to media representatives following the official talks. The Head of State set the accents very clearly and answered all the questions. It is necessary to admit that Mongolians heard the Belarusian leader’s message, and only five persons gathered for an anti-Belarusian rally as a result.
In his speech, the President noted, in particular, that a part of Mongolia’s population negatively perceived the assistance that Belarus had provided to Russia in connection with the special military operation in Ukraine. “They see it somehow one-sidedly,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted. “I have read all [media] reports, and paid special attention to the journalists of Mongolia. I see that they are just engaged by one side. They do not see what is happening. This refers not to all journalists, just to some of them. [Their position] is being thrown into society.”
In this regard, the President of Belarus drew some historical parallels. The Head of State recalled how Chinggis Khaan once fought for his Mongol Empire, how he defended his people, “Some time in the past, the Mongol Empire reached as far as the borders of Belarus. I know how he defended his people. Thousands of them were dying on the battlefield, but – if someone dared to offend his soldiers – he destructed those settlements and people with sword and fire. What did happen between Ukraine and Russia? That was, actually, the same.”
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the United States and its allies in the West dreamed of the USSR collapse and contributed to that process. “You [Mongolia] co-operated with that Soviet Union, and no one of those who remember that interaction says anything bad about it. Times were different, but it was good co-operation in general,” the Head of State noted.
When the Soviet Union collapsed, sovereign and independent states were formed, and Aleksandr Lukashenko explained, “An agreement was reached that the West would not deploy any power bloc close to our – Belarusian and Russian – borders. In reality, they began to create a springboard in Ukraine for an attack against Belarus and Russia. Sanctions were immediately imposed against us, against Russia and Belarus. The first state that imposed sanctions against us was our close and friendly Ukraine. It acted that way, since the West had placed an order. After the sanctions were imposed, did we have to still be friends with them? No. At the same time, we did not attack them, we did not instruct them how to live. Why should we mention Chinggis Khaan in this regard? I told you how he defended his people. When they began to burn people down in houses (look what happened in Odessa, how Russian people were burned there) in Ukraine, doing that in a new century, in our modern world, Russian society began to put pressure on President Putin and the authorities, urging them to protect those people. Do you see a parallel? Putin defended his people.”
The President recalled that, before those events, the parties had reached certain agreements in Minsk on the settlement of the situation in Ukraine and even signed them. However, Ukraine – at the suggestion of the West and using its support – refused to fulfil what had been agreed upon. The goal of the West was to play for time and pump Ukraine with weapons for war against Russia.
“How was Russia supposed to behave?” Aleksandr Lukashenko wondered. “Why do you, Mongols, having a parallel with Chinggis Khaan whom you worship (I also supported your President, this is a significant page in your great history), condemn Russia now – and even more so Belarus, which acted as a guarantor of the peace talks? We hosted three rounds of peace talks, an agreement was reached to end the confrontation and war. Ukrainians and Russians initialled that agreement, but then Americans and Brits came and told Zelenskyy to act oppositely and fight. He is fighting now as a result.”
The Belarusian leader stressed that there is a chance now to end this confrontation. There is no one left in Ukraine to fight and use Western weapons. Russians do not want this war either. It seems wise to sit down at the negotiating table now.
“Americans want to drown Russia in this war with Ukraine. [They want] Russia to continue fighting against Ukraine, while they will at the same time deal with China alone. This is the essence of their policy," Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “I would like Mongolia to understand this, so that you listen not only to what Americans and Westerners are telling you. Come to us. You will be able to see the real situation in this region, and then you will condemn me less for supporting Russia.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that Belarus has close allied relations with Russia in all spheres, “They are our closest brothers. We think and speak the same language. Therefore, I acted in line with all legally signed agreements. Westerners and Americans knew of that. Actually, I do not want people to die, and we are doing – and will do everything – to ensure that there is peace. If Americans agree to ensure peace there, it will reign there virtually tomorrow. However, they do not need it, so you should figure out who is to blame and who is right. Do not make of us enemies of Mongolian people. We are your closest friends and brothers. Together with the President [of Mongolia], we will confirm you in the economy that we can do a lot here – no less than the empires you border, and the developed states. I really want this, and we will do it.”
