Translated material
Press conference of Alexander Lukashenko
On the complexities of relations with Russia
“Our ministers come to Moscow - they don’t want to talk to them. Caring attitude. I told Putin: if you treat our ministers like that, we won't visit you again. But nothing has changed, the ministers were sitting in the waiting rooms from morning to evening.”
“Why should we be caught alive? Why take us by the throat? We can manage without Russian oil. It will be very difficult for us. But freedom is very cost-effective, it is not valued by any money.”
“I often say to Putin: “Listen, if our economy shines (collapses. - NT), at least 10 million problems will appear for you and for enterprises.”
On proposals from Russia to acquire key Belarusian enterprises
"Okay, we don't mind. How much will you pay? Listen: almost free! I say no guys. And then - to Putin: why do you need it? We are producing these huge machines under Topol (meaning the Topol strategic mobile missile system. - NT). Have we ever given up? <...> When they ask me to give away a high-tech enterprise for free, is that fraternal? Is that decent?"
On plans to create a Russian airbase in Bobruisk
“Who needs these 10 planes that Russia wanted to land in Bobruisk? I say to Putin: <…> give me 20 planes, we have excellent pilots, an excellent school. You know that we are fighting no worse on military aircraft, you give us 20 aircraft, we are a single group. No!"
On the foreign policy of Belarus
“Russia has a certain wariness that Belarus will go to the West. You have already read (in the Russian media. - NT) that Makei (Chief of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry Vladimir Makei. - NT) is the main enemy here. Allegedly, he, and not Lukashenka, is leading Belarus to the West. <...> No Makei, without the consent of the president, conducts negotiations either in Brussels, or in Berlin, or in Washington. Therefore, everyone in Russia should understand that this is an agreed position…”
On the decision of Russia to create a border zone on the border with Belarus, after Minsk introduced a visa-free regime (for 5 days) for citizens of 80 states
“We do not have a visa agreement with the Russian Federation, we will allow anyone we want to enter the country without a visa. They (Russia. - NT) themselves do not understand who they accept, even terrorists.
On relations with Putin
“Putin and I are really friendly, although we quarrel more than any other president with the president. You know, only an American Trump can quarrel with an Australian prime minister and say it was the worst conversation ever. Well, he is such an open person, but in general this is unacceptable, diplomatic ethics does not allow ... "
About the new President of the United States
“Let him (Trump) be inexperienced - yes ... Yes, you need to be calmer somewhere, but it seems so to us from here ... I went through all this when you come upstairs not from the elite ... Trump, no matter how strong he is, is completely off his feet the world will not change. As much as we dislike globalization, it is a trend for the ages.”
“<…> How many times have I told the Russian leadership: “Calm down, don’t make things worse for this Trump!” They almost appointed the president of the United States. Is he bad now? Obama was bad, now this one is bad?
Regarding the rumors about the preparation of a coup in Belarus
“You are saying here that a coup is brewing within the Lukashenka team, he (Lukashenko) will soon be thrown out. Let them throw it off, but I won’t give up my policy.”
About plans for the future
“<…> I don’t pretend to much, I will live in my village, it’s okay. A beautiful village, a common garden planted, people take apples, use them. I do not need them".