Updated at 17:53,27-03-2024

Lukashenko gives an ultimatum to the West


Belarus is waiting for "concrete steps" from the West and the official Minsk will not change its position on "the release of political prisoners".

This was said on Thursday in Minsk by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, when he listened to a report of Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov.

"I hear more and more statements that European diplomats are waiting here for some kind of amnesty, again raising the question of political prisoners and so on. I just want to publicly say, that I won't come back to this subject anymore. I told everything publicly before, in the Message to Belarusian people and the parliament. I see no reason to change my position this time", said Alexander Lukashenko.

"We are waiting for concrete steps from the West, the European Union. Ball is on their side. It is my firm conviction. Therefore I'm not going to wait for this game again on old instruments, by the old notes", "Interfax-Zapad" quoted the president of Belarus.

The press service noted, the Head of State gave instructions about the course that Belarus "must follow for the normalization of relations with Western partners, with full observance of national interests and also, on the basis of objectives of normal and productive interaction".

In addition to the issues of cooperation between Belarus and Russia and the EU, the president was reported on the development of relations with Asian and Latin American countries, discussed the upcoming concrete events on these vectors. The president gave instructions on the preparation and content of a number of his visits to these regions.