Lukashenko: Belarus faces the question "either — or"

Belarus is living in a very difficult period. This was stated by Alexander Lukashenko at the Republican Pedagogical Council on 27 August, BelTA has learned.

The Belarusian leader recalled that as soon as restrictive measures were introduced against the republic, he immediately demanded that the government forget about these sanctions and focus on economic development.

"In these conditions, it was necessary not only to produce, but also to sell products abroad. For countries with export—oriented economies, this situation is a big challenge. However, the authorities coped with it, and ordinary Belarusians did not feel the large—scale sanctions pressure," he said.

According to him, "we live in the most difficult time."

"I'm not talking about the fact that we have a war in the south. That these rabid Westerners are preparing against us. We have to keep this in mind. What do we need in this situation, this country, this colossus (little Belarus — it's not so small when you deal with it as a whole), to turn from the West to The East. It is necessary to ensure that you are accepted in the East. Thank God we can do it, but it's the hardest job. I want you to understand that the country is living in a very difficult period, the question is "either or,"— Lukashenko stressed.

He also noted that "we are now being advised, thrown from the side (it all pours out on me): "Let's retreat here, release there.""

"Starting from here and ending: "Spit on this Russia, turn away from this Russia. Come on, you will fight with Ukraine against Russia. And we will bring NATO troops to that border near Smolensk.“ It comes to that. Today I am receiving proposals from all sides that we cannot accept by 99%. Therefore, I want you to understand what kind of environment we are in, what kind of situation we are living in. That's all I can tell you. And I just can't say as much today: all the other questions are my questions. Do your job, and I will do my job together with my colleagues in the government, senior officials," the Belarusian leader said.

In addition, Lukashenko believes that everyone needs to think about "how to keep the country."

"I live together with you in this life, society, and I see what is happening. And as a more informed person, I know more about each of the directions. And the field of education is the most important for me. I'm a little bit aware of what's going on in it. 50%, maybe more, of my work is teaching. I have to see, analyze and teach the whole country. Show: this is necessary, this is… And sometimes you set a task, you control it — it's not done, then you go, you do it yourself... That's why we're in the same boat and we have nowhere to go. It is not necessary to darken, lie or embellish the situation. The situation around is very complicated. There has never been such a difficulty around Belarus as it is now. And the country must be kept. And we all want to be sovereign and independent. And how to keep it — everyone should think. And be prepared for it. And it all starts with us, the teachers," the President of Belarus emphasized.

Recall that Belarus has been under sanctions pressure from the West since 2020. After starting SMO on In Ukraine, the number of sanctions against the republic has increased significantly. Despite this, the Belarusian authorities claim that the country has managed to neutralize the negative effects of Western restrictions.