Lukashenka Views Ukraine as Centre for Destabilising Situation in Belarus

Alexander Lukashenka claims that a centre for destabilising the situation in Belarus is currently operating in Ukraine. He made a corresponding statement in an interview with foreign TV channels, noting that the situation in the country is being impacted by all sides.

“I say [that a centre for destabilising the situation in Belarus operates in] Poland. And we know who sits in these centres: every one of them is American. And, unfortunately, they established a second centre in Ukraine to work against Belarus. We see it, this centre,” Lukashenka said.

According to him, four people allegedly moved from the Ukrainian territory to Belarus and recently committed several arsons.

“And these four anarchists, who had been hiding in Ukraine, [crossed the border and] came to us, and we detained them. They set fire to several buildings and cars in our country. We see who now is trying to play upon the radicalisation of what is happening in Belarus. The internal situation is not really the point. We are being shaken from all sides,” Lukashenka stressed.

He noted that Belarus did not think that Ukraine could pose a threat to its security or sovereignty. Furthermore, there are no people in Ukraine who would try to solve any issues in such a way.

At the same time, Lukashenka also said that Minsk would remain a venue for the Trilateral Contact Group for the peaceful settlement of the situation in eastern Ukraine, adding that Belarus provided everything necessary for further dialogue on any issues.

Bohdan Marusyak