Miory Regional Executive Committee
The session of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Belarus and Russia (SSC) will take place on February 26. This was announced by the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, during a meeting with the Secretary General of the Union State, Sergey Glazyev, according to a BELTA correspondent.
"It is confirmed – on the 26th, in coordination with the President of Russia. We last discussed this matter, which was the main topic of our telephone conversation. Although considerable speculation arose following that conversation, particularly because this issue coincided precisely with the Peace Summit that Donald Trump will host in Washington, and my invitation to attend. Therefore, this issue overshadowed all our negotiations and discussions with President Putin. Nevertheless, the principal issue we discussed was the session of the supreme body of our Union State, our further contacts with the President of Russia, and negotiations on matters concerning Belarus and Russia," the Head of State said.
"On the eve of the Supreme State Council, we have numerous issues that we must discuss and, possibly, align on, if we can. In my view, there are no matters where we cannot reconcile our positions and adopt a unified decision," the Belarusian leader noted.
"We are seriously prepared to cooperate with Russia to the extent that Russia is capable. You understand better than anyone else that in certain areas we have moved quite far apart. This also applies to the economy. Fortunately, in politics and diplomacy, reality has compelled us to remain united within the military-industrial complex and the defense sphere. Although I have always recommended not losing sight of this issue. There were times when the Russian leadership and military believed: 'Well, what about Belarus? We can manage without it.' Time has shown that our friends are few and far between. And we cannot do without each other. And thank God that this period has put us all in our proper place," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.
As for the agenda of the upcoming SSC session, the President noted that he has some questions, but pointed out a positive fact: "It is good that you have finally, unlike previous bureaucratic officials, proposed seven acceptable issues. Well, listen, who would actually discuss 27 issues?"
"Everything is coordinated on our side, Alexander Grigorievich," said Sergey Glazyev.
The Secretary of State noted that the Main Directions for implementing the provisions of the Treaty on the Creation of the Union State of Belarus and Russia for 2024–2026 are proposed for discussion at the Supreme State Council. "About half of all measures under these main directions have been completed. I am confident that the remaining half will also be completed," he said. "And the main question we must now determine together is the development of new main directions for 2027–2029."
"I received a briefing today: in Russia, some say that someone is trying to tear Belarus away from Russia. I will not even comment on that. I will simply state one thing: there is no force today capable of separating Belarus from Russia and Russia from Belarus. Circumstances have unfolded in such a way that they have bound us together, undoubtedly for many long decades and centuries. In fact, there is nothing to reproach us for – Belarus has always been oriented toward Russia. Much of what we have, if not everything, is there. Our resources are there, our market is there, when it comes to the economy. We have complete unity in this regard. And also politically (in this respect. – BELTA note)," the President said.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that the West, including the United States, at one time closed the door to Belarus and "did not even offer to let us climb through the window." "The Chinese and Russians have always kept their doors open. Did we do something wrong? Did we somehow act against America? No. Everything is clear. This is our position: Russia and China are states essential for the existence of Belarus," the Belarusian leader emphasized.
You understand this perfectly well. Therefore, all sorts of speculation, even from Masha Zakharova (Maria Zakharova, official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. – BELTA note). Or the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs recently stated that they are offering us advice in a fraternal manner, making recommendations. Listen, I have served as President for over 30 years. We have known each other for a long time. Listen, I have met with various presidents. Some claim to have seen five American presidents. I have witnessed different situations. It is impossible to deceive me without any basis or steer me off course, – noted Alexander Lukashenko. – I have considerable experience in this regard. I can offer advice to many, many Russians, and if you join us – we can advise many on how to conduct themselves toward this unruly West, the main component of which is the United States of America".
"We have long established a formula: we share a single Fatherland stretching from Brest to Vladivostok. It would certainly be desirable if it extended from Lisbon to Vladivostok – at least in economic terms. However, that is not up to us. But from Brest to Vladivostok, we cannot afford to lose this Fatherland. For centuries, and not only during the last war, we have defended and reclaimed it together. And it does not belong to Putin and Lukashenko. Compared to the sacrifices our ancestors made over centuries, we are still quite inexperienced. We have no right to sever it, – emphasized the Head of State. – But within this Fatherland there are two states. Two sovereign states, mutually dependent on one another".
"I sincerely hope that the events that will unfold in the future… We will certainly participate in this Council at the presidential level, we will definitely take part," – said the Head of State.
"Perhaps not in Washington. Further meetings of this Council will likely be held somewhere in Europe or the Middle East, perhaps in Israel, or closer to us, in Turkey. We will participate in them," – emphasized the President.
"We are seriously committed to working within the Council of Peace. In the most serious manner. Not to flatter anyone, not to pander to anyone, but to uphold our own position, a sovereign position," - emphasized the head of state.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that Belarus does not intend to deviate from the previously adopted decision regarding participation in the Council of Peace. At the same time, as an ally of Russia, it is ready to cooperate jointly on this matter. "Naturally, this position - both of Russia and Belarus - will be unified. We will develop this position because we share the same viewpoints," - clarified the President.
Speaking about the activities of the Council of Peace, the head of state commented on the existing opinion that this structure allegedly seeks to replace the United Nations. "To speak frankly: if there were such an organization that could replace the United Nations, I would cross myself and rejoice," - noted the President.
"I constantly tell them (the USA. - BELTA Note), speaking frankly, where they are mistaken. They are wrong regarding Maduro - they have acted foolishly. I warned them. At the Americans' suggestion (not my initiative - they requested it), I became involved in this issue. And I offered them an ideal solution. An ideal solution! But they chose their own path. Donald wanted somehow to appease the military," - stated the President.
"They conducted some operation, apprehended a person. So what? They showed the whole world who is who. But the main question is - what happens next? Therefore, this remains a topic for my discussions with the leadership of the United States of America. I have a proposal for resolving this situation. And if they wish to extricate themselves from this situation decently and gracefully, we are ready to work with Donald on this matter, - stated the Belarusian leader. - He is a pragmatic person. I am as well. Therefore, I believe we will discuss this issue. I do not mean to imply that I am the chief advisor here capable of solving any problem with him. No. But I can certainly express my viewpoint."
"We understand their concerns regarding Greenland. Moreover, they could have made substantial investments in Greenland. In this manner—what did it provoke? Rejection. Even within the United States of America, the majority of the population says: "No, we do not want it." Although, well, these are heroic people in the US, you know how this nation was formed and so on. Ordinary people did not arrive there from Europe. These were people oriented toward struggle and so on. They said: "No, that is not necessary." They encountered opposition from Europe, not to mention Denmark and so on. I see that Donald has stepped back," the President said.
"As for the United States of America. The Monroe Doctrine... Well, Sergey Yuryevich, we are both experienced individuals. When was that even?! Perhaps it could be modernized in some way. If we were to live in the 18th or 19th century, then tomorrow we would indeed need to wage war against Europe. But we do not set such objectives for ourselves. The same applies to the United States of America," the head of state noted.
"There is no need to dwell anxiously on his policy. He explicitly stated from the outset: peace through strength. His tactic is straightforward: apply pressure, then withdraw. That is his tactic. A strong, powerful country, a global leader. That is simply his approach. There is no need to pounce on him, pile on, or engage in similar behavior. I am not defending him here, but this is objectively true. That is his tactic. We clearly perceive this through negotiations with the United States of America. And we manage to resolve our own issues in these negotiations," the Belarusian leader stated. "But under no circumstances do we solve these problems at the expense of fraternal and native Russia," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.