Lukashenko promises tough response to EU's new sanctions

The European Union's new sanctions against Belarus will be met with tough response, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the meeting with the working group on finalizing the new Constitution draft on 15 November, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Belarus was accused of creating a migrant crisis and therefore the European Union is threatening to adopt another package of sanctions against the country. “Facilitating a migration flow through Belarus is more trouble than it is worth. We have never done this and do not intend to do it. They are trying to intimidate us with sanctions. Okay, we will see. They think that I did not mean what I said. Nothing of this kind. We will defend ourselves. We have nowhere to retreat,” the president emphasized.

“This is so you know what is happening and what we have to do in order to preserve calm and peace in our society,” the head of state said explaining why he mentioned the migrant crisis and the sanctions. According to him, every day a large flow of tourists and other foreign citizens passes through Belarus. “This is a boiler where the atmosphere is charged. In no case should any tensions be created here. Nevertheless, the Constitution is one of the opportunities our self-exiled opposition is trying to use to once again destabilize the situation here. I must say that they will fall flat. This time they will fail completely,” the president said.

“We will respond to the sanctions. This is not even up for discussion,” the head of state assured.