Meeting to discuss situation in the world and Belarus-U.S. relations

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has convened a meeting to discuss the situation in the world and Belarus-U.S. relations.

“I would like to consult with you today on a number of issues,” the head of state said. “First and foremost, we will discuss the international situation: its defining characteristics and Belarus’ place within it. Second, we will turn to a highly important issue – our relations with the United States of America.”

“I expect specific proposals and frank assessments from your small group today. Based on these, we can then consider bringing this issue, specifically the global situation and Belarus-U.S. relations, before a meeting of the Security Council for broader discussion and collective decision-making,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The President expressed his support for the steps taken by U.S. President Donald Trump to settle the Middle East conflict.

“I fully support these steps by U.S. President Donald Trump to bring order to the Middle East. It is a resolute, positive step that could potentially lead to the creation of a state... Perhaps a unified Palestinian state that would also include the Gaza Strip. And finally, people will have the opportunity to live a normal life there,” the Belarusian leader said.

He noted that the rise to power of the Donald Trump administration in the USA has led to a period of very rapid change in international relations.

“Credit where credit is due; for all his shortcomings, Donald is taking decisive steps in the world to address global issues. The recent events in the Middle East, for all their flaws (no matter how much his individual opponents and political scientists may criticize them), are a decisive and serious step that has stopped the armed clashes and war,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized. “We must give credit where it's due. Of course, there is still much to be done. For decades, and for almost a whole century, attempts were made to bring order there. And nothing was achieved [before].”

Aleksandr Lukashenko believes that Donald Trump should not be concerned about not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize this year, as the assessment of his work by people around the world is far more important.

“The fact that Donald Trump was not awarded the Nobel [Peace] Prize, given the statements of various laureates, can be understood. They promise that next year he will definitely receive it. Personally, I would advise him not to worry too much about not receiving this Nobel Prize. After all, being among those renegades is probably beneath him. What truly matters is that people around the world should appreciate what the United States and its President are doing on the international stage. The opinion of the international community and people worldwide is more important than that of this politicized structure [meaning the Nobel Committee],” the head of state said.

“Sometimes I think: if one of you or I were offered this prize, I would definitely refuse it. Because, let’s be honest, we know from our own [opposition] figures what ‘contribution’ they have made to establishing peace in the world. None at all. On the contrary, they have pushed Belarus toward this so‑called war. And then to compare that with an opposition activist from Venezuela (I have nothing against her personally, I don’t know about her politics, and you probably don’t either). Yet they simply awarded it to her because she fought for the destruction of Venezuela. Is that normal?” the Belarusian President stated.

“If the prize has been promised to Donald Trump next year, then we can expect that he will pursue a policy of peace at least until the award is presented to him. It is beyond doubt that he will receive it. But I stress once again: we should not congratulate him on this, given our attitude toward the Nobel Prize,” the Belarusian leader added.

Speaking about the Belarus-U.S. relations, the President said that tt is necessary to develop a framework for future Belarus-U.S. relations that will not harm existing alliances and partnerships.

“Given the progress in our contacts with Washington, we need to develop a further framework for Belarus-U.S. relations,” the Belarusian leader stated. “While doing that, we must define our priorities more clearly. It’s also important to establish the so-called red lines, the crossing of which is unacceptable for us. It is crucial to ensure that our actions in no way harm our relations with Russia and China, as well as our commitments to our partners in Eurasian integration associations. This is non-negotiable. We reached agreements and formalized them. Therefore, we must act within this framework.”

“We should develop a plan for our relations with the Americans, addressing the issues both sides will raise during negotiations,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added. “This framework must be cemented at the highest level.”

“It should be taken into account that currently sanctions against Belarus imposed by the United States and its allies, especially the European Union, remain in force. Yes, we have learned to live and work under this sanction pressure, though it is not without difficulties. However, they do exist, harming us and diverting our attention from addressing many issues,” the head of state said. “Unfortunately, the U.S. administration continues to pursue a policy of promoting certain pseudo-democratic values. We see this as well. In words, they seem to have moved away from this approach. However, in practice, nothing has changed.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that earlier U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had announced an end to funding for various NGOs and other “dirty deals”. “But we recently learned that this is not the case, as the funding has been resumed. Well, it is up to the United States to decide how they spend their money. Our task is to prioritize our own interests,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

The President noted that the trend towards resuming bilateral dialogue has gained “some positive momentum.” This has already been mentioned more than once and when the time comes, the public will be informed in detail, the President noted. “I suppose the time has finally come to say something on this matter. But before saying anything about Belarusian-U.S. relations, and especially the prospects for these relations, I would like to consult with you today," the President said as he addressed the meeting participants.

Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that a number of meetings with special envoys of the U.S. President have recently taken place in Minsk. “Experience has shown that the Americans get engaged in all these contacts exclusively for pragmatic purposes," he noted. “Undoubtedly, our policy of renewing relations with the United States must also be based solely on Belarusian interests."

Moreover, according to the President, Belarus is prepared to make certain compromises and take the first steps, expecting that the Americans will deliver on their promises. This is happening, for example, in the case of lifting sanctions from Belavia Airline. “They announced the removal of sanctions against Belavia but some ‘loose ends’ remain. Both Cherginets [Belavia’s director general] and other managers of Belavia state that the lifting of these sanctions does not yet fully release Belavia from some foolish obligations. We cannot fly everywhere, repair or buy [aircraft and parts] everywhere. The Americans acknowledge this. They say: some time is needed to eliminate these ‘loose ends’. Very well,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

"We will wait for their big proposals, for a big deal, as they like to say (they love these big deals). We are ready for this. We are ready to make a big deal with them. On one side of the scale are their questions, requests, and demands; on the other side are our questions and demands. Shall we work on them? Let's do it. We are ready for this. I view Donald Trump's proposals in this regard as absolutely normal. But our interests must also be taken into account. And everything must be honest, as we once agreed with the Americans,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.

According to the head of state, the USA sees a role for Belarus in the process of a peaceful settlement in Ukraine.

The head of state pointed out that Washington's actions are being carried out both in the context of resolving the regional crisis around Ukraine and in order to advance its own interests in Eastern Europe and the world at large. In doing so, the Americans are acting in an exclusively pragmatic manner, which, in the President's view, is perfectly normal.

“I believe that a certain role in resolving the Ukrainian crisis, as well as in building a regional security architecture, is assigned to Belarus as Russia's closest ally. The Americans have recognized our place in this process. We have specific capabilities and potential,” the head of state said.

“If the Americans want to settle the conflict in Ukraine and see some role for us there, even a small one, we are ready to participate,” Aleksandr Lukashenko continued.

The President noted that Belarus has long and repeatedly emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. “We have stated our position: peace, peace, and only peace. Ukraine must exist as a sovereign, independent state. We are for stopping the war now; otherwise, this independent, sovereign state will disappear,” the Belarusian leader said.

“Especially since certain parties (you know who) are already eyeing the western regions of Ukraine (and Belarus, for that matter), already living by some kind of „holy spirit“ of Piłsudski. He [Polish President Karol Nawrocki recently stated that he communicates with the spirit of the late Marshal Józef Piłsudski] is utterly obsessed with this spirit, whether he dreams of it or it possesses him. To think such foolishness... Even if it's true, you should just keep quiet about it. Well, that's their problem; they are just that kind of people,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The President once again emphasized that for Belarus, the paramount issue in a peaceful settlement for Ukraine is preserving it as a sovereign and independent state. He stated it must be peace-loving, create no problems or threats for anyone, and develop like other independent nations. “We stand for this and for peace, and we are prepared to work toward that goal,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

According to him, the Russian people and the leadership of Russia are intent on establishing peace in Ukraine. This was also discussed during the latest meetings between Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin.

"Tomahawks will not solve the problem. They will escalate the situation to a nuclear war. Perhaps Donald Trump understands this better than anyone, as he is in no hurry to hand over this lethal weapon for deep strikes into Russian territory, as President Zelensky is counting on,” the Belarusian leader said.