Meeting with KGB Chairman Valery Vakulchik

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko met with KGB Chairman Valery Vakulchik on 1 June.

“We know from where winds blow towards our Belarusian land. Unfortunately, not from the side we would prefer. However, we are prepared for any winds. Moreover, I studied the history of our state, the Soviet history some time ago (you also know that Belarus has experienced winds from various sides). By now we have learned to cope with these winds and hurricanes. Back then, we did not know how to fight. And we did not have a sovereign and independent state because of that,” the head of state said.

“Many times Belarus was divided into pieces that were incorporated into diffident countries. You know that the country was actually partitioned before the last war. Therefore, we cannot let this happen today,” the Belarusian leader added.

“National security is a top priority. In this regard, the State Security Committee together with the president plays a crucial role in the protection of the independence and sovereignty of our state. We are absolutely aware of the goals of certain ‘wind blowers’. These goals are clear: to organize a maidan in the run-up to the presidential election or on the voting day. That was their plan. Using this meeting I would like to warn you and all people who will hear us, I want to warn all those ‘maidan fanatics’ that there will be no maidans in Belarus,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

Aleksandr Lukashenko urged not to make analogies and not to compare the situation in Belarus with some previous events in Armenia and Ukraine. “Don’t compare us. A newspaper in a neighboring country has recently said that new Pashinyans, new Zelenskys emerged here. Don’t say that the situation here is very similar to that of Armenia or Ukraine. I should say that the situations can be different. There are no Pashinyans and Zelenskys in Belarus. No matter what is going on in Armenia or Ukraine, both Zelensky and Pashinyan are talented people. I have already gotten to know them. They are talented people and, what is the main thing, the patriots of their countries. They are devoted to their countries,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“Some people here want to sell cheap everything which was created not only by President Lukashenko, the authorities but also by people. This is inadmissible. I want to reiterate, I want to tell those ‘maidan fanatics’ once again that we will do our best to keep the situation in our country stable,” the president said.

The head of state emphasized that no one prevents people from openly expressing their point of view, but it is essential to respect the law. “We will never try to shut people’s mouths. Special places have been designated in Minsk and other cities for people to speak up and discuss things. As far as I know, there are six such places in Minsk. Our business is to control things and to make sure that things are within the law. There are six places in Minsk where they can have their debates. But the State Security Committee and the police should do their best to prevent law violations,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

“It’s up to people to decide if they want to go and discuss certain things. If they want to do it in their kitchens, it’s up to them. There should be order in the country. We must prevent various criminal gangs from wandering around the country with rolled up sleeves: God forbid, people might think that the Gestapo has returned, that the war has started. We must prevent that. I will not tolerate that,” Aleksandr Lukashenko assured. “I have already told the military that I will fight against them [such criminal gangs] alone if necessary. But we have enough military personnel who can protect the country. They understand that their children will live in this country. Not only us, but also our children, your children will live in this country. We are not going to die.”

According to the president, everything should be in compliance with the law, in a just and honest manner, without lies. “We must act this way. We will respect those who will comply with the law during this period,” he said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko asked Valery Vakulchik to describe the situation and to share his opinion. “I have enough information. Moreover, you describe things in generic terms. I want to know the state of affairs in Belarus from the point of view of the KGB. And not only about those trying to organize a maidain, who I’ve been speaking about right now. We also have economic security, food and military security, other issues. They are becoming more acute now because this is an acute political period,” the head of state said.

The president described the situation in figurative terms and remarked that there are, in fact, several ‘pandemics’. One is a healthcare issue. “Thanks God, we are on the way towards overcoming it. They cannot say that we are lying. You can go hospitals, look at what is going on there, and so on,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.

“The political pandemic connected with the election, the economic pandemic have added up (the whole world is in crisis – this is not our fault, this is our pain). A number of other ‘pandemics’ that are wandering along our borders but are so far afraid to step in. We must cope with these challenges,” the president stated.

“I am not even speaking about the information ‘pandemic’. You know that this is a background for all pandemics. There is much hype about many things in the internet, this ‘trash can’. Some activists from abroad, including our brothers, also add up to the problems in mass media. But we see all that,” Aleksandr Lukashenko concluded.