Lukashenko: The situation in Belarus is neither troubled nor complicated

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I can't say we are making these appointments in some complicated period of time. I am still trying to comprehend the situation in the country and all the time I conclude that life changes radically when one travels beyond the Minsk ring road. This is why it would be ridiculous to say we are having big problems and complications. Your life is totally different than life in Minsk. And then life in Minsk differs from yours only on Sundays.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that the newly appointed officials had come to the nation's capital and had probably noticed that there are no color revolutions, no catastrophes, or other dreadful things happening there. “There are certain people, who now publicly demonstrate their dislike of what is going on in the country. There were people like that during the previous election but back then they peacefully accepted their defeat,” he noted.

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the situation in Belarus is greatly influenced by foreign interference in domestic affairs of the country and foreign control over street protests. “It originates from Poland, Czechia, Lithuania, and Ukraine, which is most disturbing for us. Yesterday you heard the statement by Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov, who openly stated what is going on at the border although he is a very restrained and careful person in this regard,” the head of state pointed out. “We respond to any negative actions directed at Belarus. To prevent the start of some fire in Minsk is the most important thing for us. Because it always happens like that: things begin in the capital city and spread to the entire country.”

Yet Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced that it cannot happen in Belarus: people have jobs and opportunities to earn money. “Yes, young people have always been active, have always liked to walk around and make a rumpus. We understand it, too, but we urge them to observe the law. Particularly university students. What do the university students need after all? We've preserved the number of students, who are taught at the expense of the state budget just the way it was in the Soviet times. We wanted to limit the number, let's say, to 50,000 students, but the number of those seeking higher education was much larger,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “University students cannot be drafted for the army. If they don't want to study, then they are free to join the army or find a job if they have already served in the army. But there must be order in the country.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko added that Belarus had found itself facing external aggression one-on-one and thanked the Russian side for support. Otherwise, Belarus would have had a difficult time now. “Errors cannot be allowed to happen. But you should clearly understand that there is a line nobody is allowed to cross. If it happens, then naturally we will respond in strict compliance with the law. This is why I want you to make people aware of it. They should not condemn me for some leniency. There is no leniency here. The country is working although many would like us to fall, particularly our neighbors would,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

The president noted that all the government bodies starting with rural councils of deputies and ending with top-ranking officials should calmly work now. “They should grow cereals and feed the nation. Kids have gone to school. Students study in universities. It is very important and we should take care of that. If someone just can't live with it, I've just said that there are clearly defined rules in the form of the law. This is why I strongly urge you not to pay attention to these things. Mind the economy and people. They will understand us. This froth will go away, all the various Telegram channels that control crowds in Minsk will go away. We just need self-restraint, presence of mind, we need to prevent the line from being crossed,” Aleksandr Lukashenko summed up.