Lukashenko explains origins of Ukrainian crisis, demands economic growth to prevent war
VETKA, 28 April (BelTA) – Economy is crucial to ensuring stability and security of the country. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement during a conference with Gomel Oblast officials on 28 April, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko reminded how problems in Ukraine had started: “You must remember that there was no Ukraine before the war. It was spoiled too much. It was an extremely rich country. They had everything. In manufacturing sector and particularly in agriculture. Black soils and so on. If we had that, we could develop faster than the Emirates. And things started with the loss of control, with the belief that the market will regulate everything, with brainless executives… And things went downhill from there. Corruption, bribes at all levels, carve-up of assets. Everything was split up and given out. The country was gone. This is how it all started. It is the main reason.”
The Belarusian leader went on saying: “And in order to find the guilty ones, they started pressuring the Russian language and hazing Russian-speaking population. Just like it happened in Belarus in the times of Shushkevich and Poznyak. Nationalism started rising here. But theirs went overboard. It is understandable that neighbors look at you and rub their hands in glee then. And so on and so forth. This is how it all started.”
This is why it is extremely important to ensure a strong economy. There is no need to worry about military security then, the president is convinced. “This is why I always say: give me economy, give me social and economic status, and I will not make demands concerning defense from you. It is particularly important for you. You can see what is happening after all. A lot of people, a lot of relatives have come to you,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.
“This is why economy, power, people’s unity will not allow starting a war. This is why I make such harsh demands from you. Because I’d better make demands from you now than giving you a rifle and sending you to the frontline tomorrow,” he added.
