Lukashenko urged partners to unite: they want to use Russia, but give nothing in return
In an extended version of his interview with Rossiya TV channel (broadcast by Belarus 1 TV channel), President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed the importance of maintaining unity among partners in the post-Soviet space, BelTA reports
"We [Belarus] are not starting to fuss about, like some of our post-Soviet states who want to take something from Russia, but give nothing in return. I have met with the [CIS] interior ministers, and I talked a lot about this. This won’t work. Let's be together! The time when you will come to Russia and ask for support and help is not far away. There is no one else [other countries are meant] to address for help. Who was addressed when the Kazakhstani events emerged? China, India and Pakistan are situated near this country, but [they were not asked for assistance]. [We heard]: ‘Putin, Lukashenko, help us’, and we redeployed our forces [CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces in January 2022 to assist the law enforcement forces of Kazakhstan] there. Our aircraft landed in Kazakhstan just half a day later, and the situation was calmed down,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
"I am not reproaching anyone, this does not mean that someone needs ‘to pay a debt out’. However, it is necessary to understand that there will be a situation when you will ask us [for help], not someone else. No one will come to assist you. Moreover, we have created an economic space, it is more or less post-Soviet space. Why should we lose it? Is anyone in the United States or the European Union waiting for Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan, and their products? No. They may probably buy something they lack, paying about $2m, but the rest is not needed there. This large surplus will need to be sold, and it will go to Russia because we share the common market. So what is the sense in losing what is already available? Let's expand this," the Belarusian leader urged the foreign partners.
"You also see the politics (I did not even pay attention, and I do not want to talk) of Armenia. What kind of politics is this?! Well, who needs Armenians except us? Nobody needs them. Let them develop their economy and focus on what they have. Which France, which Macron? Macron will be gone tomorrow, and everyone will forget about Armenia – just as it was with the United States [it's about how the US abandoned its partners, leaving the territory of Afghanistan],” the President said.
