Alexander Lukashenko announces a "big deal" between Belarus and the United States
Belarus and the United States are preparing to conclude a "big deal," Belta quotes Alexander Lukashenko as saying. The Belarusian president also noted that Minsk had clearly outlined its interests during the negotiations with the American side.
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko told reporters how preparations are underway for a "big deal" with the United States of America, Belta has learned.
"Yes, indeed, during the negotiations — there was a third or fourth round — they proposed, on behalf of Trump, to conclude a big deal that would reflect a number of issues that are on the agenda of our negotiations," the president said. "Am I going to deny it?" This is important for Belarus, including for me. So I said: "I'm fine with that, tell Donald that I agree to work out this big deal, prepare it."
The Head of State noted that the United States might not be up to it at this point in time, but the process is underway.
"We have identified our interests and sent relevant proposals to the Americans. As they informed me, they are being worked out," the president said. — The big deal is not just about "political prisoners," as they say. Although I constantly correct them that we don't have political prisoners because we don't have political articles."
"I have never asked them for anything in return, even for sanctions. Never," Alexander Lukashenko said. He paid tribute to the American side for the fact that they independently identify certain issues in this regard. The President gave an example that the negotiating agenda includes not only the work of embassies, but also the topic of nuclear materials. "You know that we have a lot of these nuclear materials. Under control, as we once agreed. The IAEA sees where we store these nuclear materials. This is also interesting for them in terms of non—proliferation of weapons," Lukashenko said.
"We are preparing for this big agreement with the Americans," the head of state said.
"I have to make this decision by Monday. There is no need to delay, I don't want there to be bureaucracy or red tape. This is my principle: I am a systematic person, and I want to solve this over the weekend," Alexander Lukashenko said.
The Belarusian leader recalled that representatives of Lithuanian and Polish trucking companies had previously written to him. Alexander Lukashenko instructed the government leadership to hold a meeting with them. "I instructed the government: let's meet and have a human conversation with them. We sat down at the negotiating table, listened to them, and handed them over to me. I'll make a decision, and I think we'll start the process of returning these trucks on Monday. We will return these trucks. I feel sorry for Poles and Lithuanians," the head of state said.
"I offered them my vision of ending the war in Iran. The way I see it. I don't want to say this publicly. I offered them another option," the president said.
"We discussed many issues. All international issues. They were interested in my point of view, how we in this region, as Belarusians, our government see it. I have outlined my point of view, my approaches. Including in this regard, when they asked questions about Russia and China. But I warned them: these are not just our allies, they are states close to us. And I want Americans to take this into account. We must pay tribute to them, they take this into account," the head of state said.
He stressed that the United States had never raised the issue of separating Belarus from Russia during the negotiations, as is sometimes discussed in Russia itself. "May the Lord be with you! The Americans have never set such a goal," Alexander Lukashenko said.
"They were very insistent that I come to the next Peace Council. I told them openly and honestly why I couldn't attend (the first meeting, which was held in Washington on February 19, — approx. InoSMI). It's not just because there's a schedule or something," the head of state said.
Alexander Lukashenko stated that the main reason why he did not fly to the United States at that time was the sudden check of the combat readiness of the Armed Forces in Belarus. "You saw, I raised the whole army. Every day in the evening, the group that monitors and implements my plans reports to me on the progress of this, indeed for the first time in history, such a large-scale inspection. Well, how could I fly away? Should I leave this process? It is impossible," the president said. — Moreover, everyone started discussing that we are almost doing this against Ukraine or Poland, or Lithuania. No, we do it for ourselves. I want to see what the condition of our army is."
The Head of State spoke on this topic for the first time during the second session of the VII All-Belarusian National Assembly. Then Alexander Lukashenko said that he had offered to buy the mine to the Americans for $ 3 billion. In this regard, the journalists asked about the situation with the potential deal.
"They're thinking. But three billion is the minimum. And the government will count the reserves and something else... It will be more expensive," the President said.
At the same time, he noted that the issue of cost is of great importance for the United States: "They are rich, but they don't want to pay big or normal money. Everyone wants it for free."
"What I like about Trump is that he thinks and speaks. I like this approach. Because we see the true policies and goals of the American leadership. And we see who the Americans are. I like it," the head of state said.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that Donald Trump is an actor in a good sense of the word, but also a businessman, journalist, economist and a bit of a politician.
"Once, the question was discussed whether we could buy American liquefied natural gas (it would be delivered via Poland to Grodno-Azot). I say, "Guys, with great pleasure, but can you compete with Russian natural gas?" — said the president. Alexander Lukashenko explained at the time that Russian gas is supplied through a pipeline and at a lower price than on world markets.
"They laughed. I say, "Well, here's the answer to that question." I can count a little, I say. And there are enough economists at Grodno-Azot who will also consider and choose what is best," the head of state said. — That is, I don't behave like Europeans. They said to buy American, that's it, we're buying, at least five times more expensive. That's what the Europeans jumped to."
"Surprisingly, I always avoid this when discussing, even Russia and China have had a lot of conversations at the moment. About the position of the Europeans. I was wondering how the Americans, the people who are directly involved in this, feel about the fact that the Europeans abandoned them. We also discussed this topic," Alexander Lukashenko noted. — They are, of course, very sensitive about this. Both Trump and they took it very painfully. They say, "We've always helped them." We know how we helped. Both NATO and economically. They simply could not exist without Americans. And they just pulled Germany out by the ears after the war, and so on."
The head of state was asked about the recent pardon of 250 convicts, of whom 235 remained in Belarus. The journalists clarified whether these people would become agents of influence, turning into a threat to the state in the future. In this regard, Alexander Lukashenko assured that no one would allow a repeat of the events of 2020 in Belarus.
"Don't worry that we've released them. Everything is under control here. There will be no 2020 in Belarus, guys. I don't want to run around with a gun in the street. I will not allow this, and everyone is aiming for it," the president said. — We understand that we wanted to destroy and turn the country upside down. It was a blow not only to us, but also to our children and grandchildren. Can I let that happen? No way!"
The Head of State noted that of the 235 people who remained in Belarus after their release, about 30 or 40 people could pose a threat. At the same time, all of them are under the control of law enforcement agencies. "We know them. Before they were released, they were all taken under control by the special services and the police," Alexander Lukashenko said.
