Relations between Belarus and Russia managed to "overcome tectonic changes" around the world, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said today in a speech before the All-Belarusian National Assembly, TASS reported, quoted by BTA.
In his words, the West is trying to drag his country into war, and Ukraine is a "training ground" where "the fate of the new world order is being decided.
"They are provoking us, digging trenches, modernizing their military infrastructure, weapons, and we on the other side of the border are building a peaceful life," said the Belarusian president and added: "Our love of peace is not pacifism, please don't confuse the concepts" ;.
Lukashenko called the union between Belarus and Ukraine "an example of peaceful and constructive development". In his words, these are two "strong and sovereign states that are united in a strong union".
The Belarusian leader noted that "the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is gaining strength, of which Belarus will become a full member this summer". "Everyone who is tired of American hegemony, including the countries of Latin America, the Global South, look at this structure with respect," Lukashenko said, adding that BRICS is already "another scale of influence on the international agenda."
Lukashenko said the US has shifted the conflict in Europe onto the shoulders of the European Union and NATO in order to weaken Russia and settle scores with China at the same time. "This is the key to the strategy of the US in the name of its hegemony,", he added.
The Belarusian president pointed out that all Ukrainian presidents have "divided and looted" the country. "In the best traditions of democracy, the oligarchs and authorities got control over all resources," Lukashenko added, referring to Ukraine.
"Everyone who observes the Ukrainian and other geopolitical tragedies, even if they don't say it out loud, understands that the one who is ready to serve any master for handouts will sooner or later lose,", the Belarusian leader pointed out.
During the Belarusian opposition protests in 2020, NATO representatives "rubbed hands" and "were preparing as a minimum for an intervention in the western regions of the country,", Lukashenko said, adding: "They counted on chaos and blitzkrieg. If it weren't for the endurance and courage of true patriots, we would have lost our country".
The Belarusian nation is strong and should become even stronger, including in the economic aspect,", the Belarusian president said, adding: "Belarusians have never lived as well as now".
"The flight of (the first Belarusian cosmonaut) Marina Vasilevska to Belarus is not just an image, some show flight. This is a symbolic step towards which we have been going since the time of the Soviet Union", Lushashenko added.