Lukashenko: Yanukovych and I are absolutely different
In an interview to VGTRK (All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company) journalist, radio and TV host Vladimir Soloviev, the President of Belarus shared the details of a moment when he flew to the Palace of Independence with an assault rifle in August 2020, BelTA reports
The events of August 2020 were discussed in sufficient details during the interview. “That was a critical – truly fundamental – point for me, including regarding changes in my personal attitude towards you, when you came with an assault rifle. I realised then: you are definitely not Yanukovych [ex-President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych who fled the country in 2014 – BelTA’s remark],” the journalist addressed Aleksandr Lukashenko.
"Yanukovych and I are absolutely different. He had a lot of money. You see, money always dominates. It is tightening the pocket, and it is needed to be saved,” the President noted.
"Well, what money are you talking about? I think when you came out with a rifle, it became clear: you were ready to die – but not to leave, run away, or give up," Mr. Soloviev added.
The President of Belarus shared the details of that memorable day, “First of all, they [organisers of mass riots] created a fake that – like Yanukovych – I had already run away, staying in Rostov, while my children had flown away. I then took an assault rifle, put my bulletproof vest on – but even forgot to put a helmet on. I had no idea that this would happen. Nobody was trembling. I knew how our guys [law enforcement officers] were acting; they did everything I told them. I then had to demonstrate them that I had not fled anywhere, that I was there – and my children as well. I boarded a helicopter and landed there literally in a few minutes. I had the assault rifle with me.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko explained that the residence of the President and the place where he lives are always coveted for ‘the dregs of society’ in periods of the kind. “They were planning an attack on the residence. I was guided by an assumption that it was possible. Since they decided to attack the Palace of Independence, there was a big risk," the Head of State noted, adding, “They knew it was the line.”
According to the President, during that period, attempts to bring weapons and ammunition to Belarus from the territory of Ukraine were repeatedly detected. “We detained large batches of them; those had been smuggled from Ukraine. One batch came from Russia – being transported in a roundabout way; the weapons and explosives were of Ukrainian origin."
