Lukashenko: Belarus is not brandishing weapons, but is ready to fight back

“We need to defend our country. I am not dramatizing the situation, but I am warning the military: we must be able to produce an adequate response to any possible move of theirs [those who pose a threat to the security of Belarus]. Here is a task for you. And I want to warn you: God forbid you approach this task formally. We must build a clear understanding of how we will act,” the head of state emphasized.

The president gave an instruction to Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko: “You need to use every opportunity to support the army now.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko drew attention to the fact that the meeting was also attended by the minister of internal affairs, the chairman the State Border Committee, the chairman of the State Security Committee and chiefs of other security, defense and law enforcement agencies. The Belarusian leader told them to stand ready to respond to a threat to the country's security any time. “You must keep in mind that we are military people. If something happens, we will take up arms. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has as many well-trained guys as the army does. Therefore, we must build up our skills, learn and get ready. Do not forget about territorial defense either, these are good reserves of ours,” the Belarusian leader noted.

According to the president, Belarus is watching Ukraine conducting an exercise codenamed Polissya, and in this regard Belarus is ready to respond if necessary.

“Yet, I want to emphasize once again: we are not brandishing our weapons. Although we [the contemporary generation of Belarusians] did not take part in the last terrible war [the Great Patriotic War], we are fully aware of what war is. Many went through the hardships of the post-war period, when we had nothing to wear and lived in dugouts. Now we live more or less well, we do not want any wars,” the president said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that although Belarus is not a very rich country, it never claimed other people's assets and territories: “We just want to utilize our own land.”

“If someone wants to talk to us as with peaceful people, please, go ahead and do it from today. We are ready to talk. But if someone comes to us with a sword or a gun, we have something to fight back with,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.