Belarus president highlights army's role

At a solemn ceremony for the presentation of state awards in Minsk, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said: "Without the army, without law enforcement agencies standing guard over law and order, we will have nothing at all, including no country." He emphasized that "this is a celebration for those for whom duty, honor, and homeland are the most important life values—those who wear shoulder boards and are the pillar of peace and stability in the country, enjoying well-deserved respect from the entire Belarusian people." Noting that he had recently met with scientists, Lukashenko added that "without science, we have no future."

Context

In Minsk, a ceremony was held to award officers of the country's security forces