Lukashenko to Russian governor: Criticism over Belarus's multi-vector policy is incompatible with reality

The President of Belarus, during a meeting with the Governor of Russia's Ulyanovsk Region: 'Talk about this multi-vector policy and accusations against Lukashenko are absolutely incompatible. If we engage with the West, but the West itself has severed that wing — that’s multi-vectorism. We turned to the South, South-West, East, intensified these relations, including in Africa. Therefore, our interests and vectors are where our economy is. This does not negate our deep relations, first and foremost with you, the Russian Federation. Hence, talk about multi-vectorism and accusations against Lukashenko are absolutely incompatible.

Listen: I've already been working as president for over thirty years. I don't need to change vectors now. Some have even gone as far as to say Lukashenko is not an ally. Well, that's a matter of taste. As long as we — and I believe this will continue — maintain mutual understanding with the leadership of the Russian Federation. You see: with the President of Russia, with leaders of major parties. I gave an example: we recently met with Gennady Andreyevich. No disagreements in our approaches.

We are patriots; we are ready to defend our Fatherland. And you must know: there is no withdrawal or betrayal here, nor should there ever be. You see how betrayal ends in Ukraine. We do not want to repeat that fate. So you came to us as a friend — to your own people. This is not foreign land to you. And if there is anything we can do for you — just look and say. We will be happy to do it for you.'