President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko expressed the opinion that the situation in the republic is stabilizing and the time is coming to deal with economic issues.
“So that we don't have disputes: this orgy is ending, we need to deal with the economy,” he said.
The Belarusian leader also threatened to respond to countries that will impose sanctions against the republic. In this regard, Lukashenka mentioned that he had already instructed the government to submit a proposal to reorient all trade flows from Lithuanian ports to others.
“Now we will show them what sanctions are. If they (Poles and Lithuanians . - RT ) back in China and Russia through us patrolled, now they will fly either through the Baltic, or the Black Sea to trade with Russia, etc. And for sanctioned products (for those products on which Russia has imposed an embargo . - RT ) - even if they don't dream. We will show them what sanctions are, ”the president said in an interview with employees of Savushkin-Orsha LLC.
Along with this, the Belarusian leader called on the EU countries to think about what the European region could become if the situation in Belarus becomes more tense.
“We need to calm down, and they, too, abroad, take their heads in their hands, calm down and think about what Europe can turn into if here ( in Belarus - RT ) flames. You understand perfectly well, ”BelTA quoted him as saying.
According to Lukashenka, if the authorities “miss it,” then Belarus can turn into a theater of military operations, where “not our issues will be resolved”.
- Reuters
- © Yves Herman
“They (Western countries . - RT ) do not need Belarus. Belarus is a springboard, as usual, to Russia, ”the Belarusian leader said.
Let us remind you that the presidential elections took place in Belarus on August 9. The incumbent head of state Alexander Lukashenko received the support of 80.1% of voters. His closest opponent Svetlana Tikhanovskaya won 10.12% of the votes of the republic's residents.
After the announcement of the preliminary election results, large-scale protests began throughout Belarus. The participants in these rallies demanded Lukashenka's resignation from the post of head of state and the holding of new elections. In the first days of the protest actions were accompanied by clashes between the security forces and demonstrators, but later the speeches of those dissatisfied with the results of the elections began to take place peacefully.
Russia's position
Moscow proceeds from the assumption that the reserve of security officials formed in Russia will not have to be used to help Belarus.
As the press secretary of the head of the Russian state Dmitry Peskov noted, "here it is very important to be aware that this is a reserve, there is no need to somehow use it."
"It (reserve . - RT ) consists of those parts that, in case of emergency, can prevent extremist actions in the republic in fulfillment of the obligations that are spelled out for Russia in ... the collective security treaty and the treaty on the Union State," he said Sands.
The Kremlin noted that Putin proceeds from the assumption that this reserve will not be used in any way. Peskov added that Moscow hopes that Belarus will not face such an “extreme situation”.
Let us remind you that on August 27, Vladimir Putin gave an interview to the Russia 1 TV channel. The head of state said that at the request of Lukashenko, he formed a reserve of security officials who can provide assistance to the neighboring republic. Putin stressed that the use of these forces is possible only if extremist elements in the republic cross certain boundaries.
Alexander Lukashenko said that not a single soldier from Russia crossed the Belarusian border. According to him, the Belarusian authorities are still coping with the situation in the country themselves.
“Not a single soldier from Russia crossed our border. We are doing it ourselves so far. But our voice, hand, or leg will not even tremble in order to together settle anyone who jerks on the western border of the Union State, ”he said.
At the same time, he said that in the event of external aggression, Belarus and the Russian Federation should use a joint grouping of troops.
“But if there is a struggle there, outside, it is necessary to use a joint group of armed forces, the basis of which is the Belarusian army. And the Russians should support us and follow us, ”he said.