'Big Talk': New format of Lukashenka's meeting with journalists LIVE


The meeting of Belarus president Alyaksandr Lukashenka with the members of the public, representatives of the Belarusian and foreign mass media has started at 10 am (local time). The event called ‘Big Talk’ is reported to be held in a ‘new format’.

Belsat.eu is taking out the most challenging and intriguing excerpts:

16.10 About sanctions and ‘cheap’ EU money

We did not deserve the sanctions. It is good that they were lifted. For example, we have started to make arrangements in the textile industry, etc. We want our economy to get at least ‘a breath of fresh air’ at the expense of the West <…>

There is a lot of money in the West, and if we could take loans with a relatively small interest rate there, it would be great for us. Therefore, it might be an opportunity to get cheaper money. We are working in various fields now, and such an opportunity emerges. It is not bad, isn’t it?

15.30 About Germany’s participation in privatization in Belarus

I would like the West to see Belarus as an independent sovereign state. That’s all. <…>

We are interested in an open dialogue, an agreement, a certain roadmap for the future. Belarus is a high-tech country, Germany is a super high-tech country, Germans are ahead of others. We need advanced technologies, energy saving, resource saving technologies, and we are ready to work in this field. Moreover, I know that Germans would like to participate in the privatization of certain enterprises. The privatization of any enterprise is not forbidden here, but I have voiced my approaches, in the same way as I see them in relation to Russia. We need to sit down at the negotiating table and come to an agreement.

15.25 Referendum on imposing moratorium on death penalty?

I am ready to impose a moratorium on the death penalty if such a measure is supported by the majority of Belarusians <…>

If people vote against capital punishment, I will sign the corresponding decree the same day as the results of the referendum are announced.

14.50 No need for Russian air base in Belarus

People keep talking about some military base. What difference will the ten aircraft Russia wanted to base in Bobruisk make? I told Putin that the airfield needs to be restored. Half of the runway is gone now. I said we could use 20 aircraft. We have excellent pilots, an excellent school, you know we can fly military aircraft because we have a common military force. But no. [Russian Defense Minister Sergei] Shoigu wanted to do it in a different way.

What can an aircraft do in a modern war, let’s say, against NATO? Ten minutes of combat. It takes off and it’s gone for good. Wars are different these days. Aircraft can fly freely in Syria because there is no air defense system there. Over here everything is visible even if the aircraft takes off as far as 200km away from here. And then, what do you think an airfield at the frontline of a theater of war is?If a war begins, two missiles can destroy the runway and no aircraft will be able to take off. Why would we need them here? Then Putin said that it would take four minutes for aircraft from Smolensk to fly here. Then I doubted the advisability of setting up such an air base in Belarus again. The president of Russia agreed that Belarus did not need such an air base.

14.40 Putin: Not just colleague, but friend

According to Lukashenka, Vladimir Putin is not just his colleague but a friend. “We are on friendly terms, even though we may have more disputes than any other presidents.”

14.10 About 17th presidential residence recently discovered by Belsat TV

People often say: “It is him who built [another] residence there. My security service shows photos and I say: “Take it easy, shrug it [reports] off! The so-called ‘residence’ Krasnoselski was built by Russian oligarch Gutseriyev, three investors are working there. I wanted that area to be put in order; he [Gutseriyev] came and invested his money. Why do you say it’s mine?

13.50 About dictatorship in Belarus

We cannot be blamed for the sanctions. We had the right to determine our policy the way we wanted. There was no dictatorship in Belarus and there cannot be any. A dictatorship needs certain resources. Do we have nuclear weapons or some other lethal weapons? Does our economy allow us to dictate someone else’s policy? This is why no dictatorship.

13.40 About rumours of Russia’s invading Belarus during wargame West-2017

If someone thinks that Russia has been a few thousand wagons to bring their troops and occupy us… look, do not be naive!

You have made such conclusion after the reports about Russia’s placing military equipment in railroad warehouses? Do you really believe that Russia has gone crazy and does not know how to make war? How can on fight on railway platforms? Yes, their troops will be here [during the wargame], but then they will leave!

Troops will get out of trains somewhere near a training ground, they will set up a camp, there will be little ammo – only to drill shooting at a target; the rest are blank ammunition. Everything is under control. Well, why are you reporting that that Russia is going to seize Belarus? This will never happen! It is impossible. Even thousands of tanks are there, one should develop a deliberate military operation. They [Russian troops] will be in the forest, under our control, what way will they be invading us?!

13.20 Belarus takes Russia to court over reduced oil supply

The dispute was about gas only. They violated all the agreements by cutting oil supplies to Belarus. We have applied to court.

<…> The deliveries were reduced to 18 mln tons. Then Russia seemed to be willing to sell 16 mln tons. Now they say they will sell only 12 mln tons.

13:00 Russia’s decision to establish border zone ‘purely political’

Russia’s decision to set up a border zone is a purely political move. This is not a good thing to do.

12:45 Customs Union was launched in Putin’s kitchen

I remember the beginning of the Customs Union – everything started in Putin’s kitchen! Putin, [Ukraine’s former president] Kuchma, Kazakhstan’s Nazarbayev were present there. The young president [Putin] asked: “Please help, because it [the formation created before] is nonsense!” And I said: „You need not to talk me into it, Yeltsin and me have already done much [in this field].

And the young president wrote down our instruction practically on a napkin. That is how the Customs union started. Why did we join it? Because you [Russia] invited us! We expected that this union would be based on equal rights. Why should we be a member of a union if there are no equal rights and conditions!

Due to unequal prices, unequal conditions Belarus has lost $15 bn only because of the prices! Russia does recognise the amount and has recently provided us with $5 bn loan. But look, they took $15 bn from us with these prices and lent us our money — and only one third of it, by the way — with an interest rate three times higher than the IMF offers. Is it ok?

And they keep looking down on us saying: „We are feeding and keeping you! But for us, you would have kicked up your heels long time ago!” They made a series of TV films about me in the style of The Godfather. I haven’t watched a single episode. I’d love to watch them to learn what they are about. But people tell me the films go as far as insulting the president. Is it normal? We had an agreement with Russians, with the presidents that we can argue all we want but we will never cross the line into personal insults.

12.30 Belarus not seeking NATO membership

We have no NATO ambitions.

12.10 Putin pushing Lukashenka to the West?

Perhaps, Russia is filled with apprehension that Belarus will ‘leave’ as Lukashenka make a pivot to the West. [Russian] media are lambasting [Foreign]Makey saying that it is him, not Lukashenka, is dragging Belarus to the West <…> But no one, no Makey, would have had talks in Brussels, Berlin or Washington without President’s consent! By the way, learnt it from my friend Vladimir Putin! Putin told me that when we were under sanctions, he was reproached with supporting ‘the awful dictator Lukashenka’ wherever he came, they were trying to brainwash him. He told me straight: “Do not quarrel with them! Build normal relations.” I swear, it has happened very recently!

12.00. About contradictions between Moscow and Minsk:

“In Russia, there are various forces. Vladimir Putin told me: “Do not pay any attention.” Unfortunately, there are various groupings in the country’s government as well. And what is very bad, some things are at odds with the views and decisions of the president, I reiterated it when speaking to my friend [Putin].

You know, it is not the first time we have faced such a conflict. Russia often used its gas pipe as an argument. Although they told me one-on-one after such conflicts: “Yes, we overreacted.” We will go Russian oil athough it will not be easy; but one cannot put a dollar tag on freedom and independence.

We will definitely find a way out, but unfortunately, Russia does not realize it thinking that there is no escape for us.

11:10. About so-called decree on idlers

“The decree has been for only working two or three years, let’s wait! If you and I arrive at the same unbending conclusion that it is not needed, we will revoke it. Take your time! It may do a world of good to the country!”

10:30. About Belarusian military

“We are training our military so that they could be ready to be at war, God forbid. That is, at any time, he might be ordered to fight and give his life. So let’s provide them with some kind of accomodation so that they could rest at ease and raise their children. “

10:08. Security and stability

They say: “What is Lukashenka talking about? About security and stability again? I want such talkers to go and see what is going on in Donbas – you will change your mind after coming back!

The event is held in an extended format under the common title Big Talk with the President. About 50 journalists representing the biggest state-owned and independent Belarusian mass media are taking part in the event. Foreign reporters, political analysts, economists, representatives of political parties, etc are also invited.

“This meeting is held in a rather unusual format for many people. This is not a press conference, not an interview. The form of our today’s conversation is dictated by life itself: we cannot do without dialogue today and especially tomorrow,” Lukashenka stressed.


On Thursday, Belsat TV asked Belarusians what they would ask Lukashenka about:

НМ, belsat.eu, using materials by BelTA

TWITTER