The work schedule of the Belarus president is always full of events. Aleksandr Lukashenko holds conferences and working meetings on the most topical matters concerning the country’s development, regularly visits the regions, goes on foreign trips and welcomes foreign guests, talks to reporters, signs decrees and laws. And even if there are no public events, it does not mean that the head of state does not work. It must be said that even when he relaxes, for instance, by playing ice hockey or chopping firewood, Aleksandr Lukashenko happens to find the time to give yet another instruction. All the decisions must be prompted by life, he likes to say.
The President’s Week project is intended for those, who want to keep up with the head of state, be up-to-date on the latest statements and decisions of the Belarusian leader.
Has progress in Vitebsk Oblast agriculture been secured? What is the most burning issue for the region now? Will state support produce any results? Who did Aleksandr Lukashenko tell to sit without salaries? Will Belarus’ northernmost region repeat the success of Netherlands? When will the Belarusian antiviral vaccine be slated for batch production?
Details of the conference hosted by the head of state to discuss forestry industry: Why did the president praise forestry industry workers? What shortcomings have been found? How have sanctions affected economic indicators? What to do with wood fuel pellets, which the European Union was supposed to buy? Will Belarusian timber be closer to buyers? How did the Forestry Ministry start making wooden houses?
Key highlights of the massive conference at Belarusian State University: Why does Aleksandr Lukashenko intend to visit higher education institutions more frequently? Why was the BSU rector expected to be fired? Who did the president ask not to break each other’s ribs? What kind of mobilization will help preserve the country?
Details of the president’s answers to burning and hot-button questions of reporters: What is the destiny of the private military company (PMC) Wagner in Belarus after the demise of its boss Yevgeny Prigozhin? Was Putin involved in the aircraft crash? How did Aleksandr Lukashenko save Prigozhin from assassination once?
Possible closure of the Belarusian border by western neighbors, who profits from the hysteria around Belarusian affairs in Poland, migrants, who keep going to the European Union despite the wall, results of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, a forthcoming CSTO military exercise and many other things are covered by the latest episode of BelTA’s special project President’s Week.
The President’s Week project is intended for those, who want to keep up with the head of state, be up-to-date on the latest statements and decisions of the Belarusian leader.
Has progress in Vitebsk Oblast agriculture been secured? What is the most burning issue for the region now? Will state support produce any results? Who did Aleksandr Lukashenko tell to sit without salaries? Will Belarus’ northernmost region repeat the success of Netherlands? When will the Belarusian antiviral vaccine be slated for batch production?
Details of the conference hosted by the head of state to discuss forestry industry: Why did the president praise forestry industry workers? What shortcomings have been found? How have sanctions affected economic indicators? What to do with wood fuel pellets, which the European Union was supposed to buy? Will Belarusian timber be closer to buyers? How did the Forestry Ministry start making wooden houses?
Key highlights of the massive conference at Belarusian State University: Why does Aleksandr Lukashenko intend to visit higher education institutions more frequently? Why was the BSU rector expected to be fired? Who did the president ask not to break each other’s ribs? What kind of mobilization will help preserve the country?
Details of the president’s answers to burning and hot-button questions of reporters: What is the destiny of the private military company (PMC) Wagner in Belarus after the demise of its boss Yevgeny Prigozhin? Was Putin involved in the aircraft crash? How did Aleksandr Lukashenko save Prigozhin from assassination once?
Possible closure of the Belarusian border by western neighbors, who profits from the hysteria around Belarusian affairs in Poland, migrants, who keep going to the European Union despite the wall, results of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, a forthcoming CSTO military exercise and many other things are covered by the latest episode of BelTA’s special project President’s Week.
TO COMPARE NOTES. What tasks does Aleksandr Lukashenko want Belarus’ northernmost region to achieve?
On 22 August Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko hosted a conference to discuss the most topical aspects of development of Vitebsk Oblast. The range of topics was extensive: from progress of the harvesting campaign and the state of affairs in agribusiness as a whole to preparations for the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia that is due in 2024, and the production of Belarusian vaccines and medications.
Aleksandr Lukashenko began his introductory speech with one of the hottest topics: progress of the harvesting campaign. All the necessary decisions concerning Vitebsk Oblast and more than that have been made but there are plenty of issues in the region’s agribusiness. The oblast’s talent pool has been recently enhanced for a reason: Igor Brylo quit his job as the agriculture and food minister and became the president’s aide for Vitebsk Oblast.
The harvesting of headed cereals is virtually finished in Vitebsk Oblast. Important tasks of the same caliber have yet to be accomplished such as corn harvesting, which yield projections are high this year, the harvesting of fodder for the animal husbandry industry, the sowing of winter crops and many other things.
Aleksandr Lukashenko encouraged everyone to work hard and pay attention, particularly in Vitebsk Oblast, which is a problem region as far as agriculture is concerned. But the same applies to Gomel Oblast, Mogilev Oblast, and partially Minsk Oblast. Order needs to be enforced in all matters. It is necessary to secure labor discipline and technological discipline.
The president remarked that the conference represented only the beginning of the conversation, an occasion for kind of comparing notes for additional mobilization. But results of the year and the completion of the harvesting campaign in the broad sense of the word are ahead. This is why the final results will be summed up closer to the end of the year. However, the situation in Vitebsk Oblast’s agribusiness will be reviewed more than once.
The most important stage that has yet to be completed
The head of state pointed out that there were certain objective factors in the form of dry weather that the Vitebsk Oblast leadership can refer to but this situation was not the same everywhere: “Half of the areas have been affected by a dry spell, while the other half is showing good crops. More efforts were needed to compensate for the shortfall by a good harvest, let’s say, in the western areas.”
“If Vitebsk or other regions of our country do not have enough cereals and rapeseed, we still have great corn to harvest. I have warned the deputy prime minister and the new agriculture minister that the hardest and most important stage is still ahead: prepare and harvest corn, especially for grain. This year’s corn harvest is great. I am sure that if we harvest everything, we can get another 2 million tonnes of corn grain,” the Belarusian leader said.
However, Aleksandr Lukashenko added that there was no need to chase after the grain harvest figures, but approach corn harvesting taking into account local needs: “It is up to you to harvest corn for grain or silage. There is no need to harvest corn for the sake of getting grain only. If your get a good corn ear, then corn silage will be very good as well. This is true especially for Vitebsk Oblast. And for other regions as well.”
Situation and issues in Vitebsk Oblast agribusiness
Speaking about the situation in the Vitebsk Oblast agricultural sector, Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that decree No.70 was issued more than three years ago. The region received significant state support in the form of debt settlement, permission to pay off obligations by installment over the period of 15 years and so on. After the tough conversation that took place back then there is no retreating and today the oblast’s agribusiness truly shows positive dynamics and milk production is on the rise. Vitebsk Oblast Governor Aleksandr Subbotin assured that decree No.70 had produced results and had allowed Vitebsk Oblast to move forward.
But the existing achievements are extremely insufficient, particularly considering the persisting problems, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
For example, the livestock population and livestock production are on a decline, there is a lack of raw materials, and meat processing plants are not fully-loaded. Aleksandr Lukashenko also drew attention to the weak discipline in payments for the supplied agricultural products. “This is unacceptable! If the company has no money to pay farmers, then take it from the budget. You may get no paychecks, but you must pay the people, especially for milk and meat supplies,” the head of state demanded.
Certainly, time and circumstances force one to adapt to changing conditions on the fly, the Vitebsk Oblast governor told reporters. Political pressure, the pressure of sanctions, and economic pressure from the outside sometimes make one adjust various plans but one can make decisions and find ways out of the situation. One of the most important tasks is to learn how to sell Belarusian goods, which are already known as high quality and organic, in higher quality and brighter ways. “We have to wrap them up in even more colorful packaging,” Aleksandr Subbotin said.
Features of the forthcoming Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia
Preparations for the 11th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia that is due in summer 2024 were also mentioned during the conference.
“We need to take the preparations as seriously as possible. I know that the proposed key theme of the event is science and innovation as drivers of economic growth of the Union State. We have something to offer to our partners (the success of TIBO 2023 confirms this) and there is also something we can learn from Russian scientists,” the head of state emphasized.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the upcoming forum is also an opportunity to put forward new business ideas and a place to showcase innovative solutions and sign major contracts. “It is necessary to communicate our concepts, plans and the things we are really good at to the general public. Maybe it is already time to invite partners from other countries to participate?” he asked.
The Belarusian antiviral vaccine and future plans
Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned the realization of the most important project: to create a Belarusian antiviral vaccine at BelVitunipharm. It was not the hottest-button topic but a key issue that started the conversation during the conference as a result. By the way, Vitebsk Oblast Governor Aleksandr Subbotin is a specialist in this sphere.
The construction of the production facility should be completed this year. The first stage is over, an experimental batch of the vaccine has been made. Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Vitebsk Oblast had already mastered the technology to produce vaccines for animals. This experience came in handy while developing medicines for humans.
The president wondered about the quality and efficacy of the Belarusian vaccine and how soon it will be able to meet the country’s vaccination needs. “For the time being, we use mostly someone else’s vaccines,” he noted. “By the way, I publicly warn the Healthcare Ministry of the harsh punishment for numerous cases of overreporting and mismanagement during the vaccination campaign that have been identified by the State Control Committee.”
The head of state also asked to report on the progress to implement the second stage of the project: “Here, we need to think big and consider expanding the product lineup beyond just one vaccine. I have been told about a promising proposal to make antitumor drugs to treat blood diseases. It is a very important direction. How are these plans aligned with the fulfillment of my instruction to create a biotechnology cluster?”
While talking to reporters after the conference, Vitebsk Oblast Governor Aleksandr Subbotin said that the influx of investments is one of the key aspects of the establishment of a biotechnology cluster in Vitebsk Oblast: “I have always cited Netherlands as an example. The country’s export amounted to almost $100 billion back in the day. They bet on high technologies, namely advanced biotechnology products, like medications, vaccines, seeds, pedigree animals. This is why we want to bet on these things, too.”
The president gave instructions to run the matter by several investors in order to make it a profitable endeavor.
As for vaccines, as a result of the conference the head of state gave instructions not to focus only on the COVID-19 vaccine. A flexible manufacturing enterprise able to respond to modern viral challenges is needed. “We need a manufacturing enterprise able to realign its processes in a volatile manner in order to meet today’s needs. I am talking about a vaccine against flu, against other infections that may threaten us. The emphasis was made on this,” Belarusian Deputy Healthcare Minister Boris Androsyuk said.
Nevertheless, initial preclinical trials of the Belarusian vaccine have proven its effectiveness. The vaccine has been tested on animals. The work continues.
ORDER IN THE FOREST. What did the forestry minister tell the president after a year of doing the job?
On 24 August Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko heard out a report on the operation of the Belarusian forestry industry in modern conditions and ways to improve it. It was a particularly important milestone for Belarusian Forestry Minister Aleksandr Kulik. It had been a year since he was appointed the minister and it was the time to report what had been done to the head of state.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Almost half of the country is covered by forests. This is our God-given legacy. And we should not only preserve it, but take good care of it. We should harvest mature forest in time, process it, so that the country can make good use of it. In the past there were a lot of questions regarding the work of former ministers, executives, people who were in charge of the forestry sector. Therefore, I chose you over the other candidates because you seemed to be an absolutely down-to-earth person who is well-versed in this industry and loves nature.”
“A year has passed. What has changed over this time? Especially with exports and markets? We have a lot of low-grade trees, as you say, wood waste, and so on. How do we remove all this from our forests and recycle it? What do we get from it?” the president asked.
When appointing the new forestry minister, Aleksandr Lukashenko set a new task: to make wood cheaper for people who want to build homes in rural areas. “What is the system here? This question should be addressed primarily to the government, but you are also a member of the government,” the head of state said.
He also wondered about the reforestation effort: “How is the work going on with the planting material? What problems do you encounter in this work? I remember a few years ago I visited your nurseries, and back then I agreed to allocate additional land for planting tree seedlings. Has it been done?”
“Good order in the forest is of paramount importance,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.
During the meeting the president spoke highly of efforts of forestry enterprises during the lengthy heat wave and drought that had just ended. In comparison with other countries where massive forest fires are rampant in such periods, Belarus has managed to avoid the calamity. The forestry enterprises did a heroic job but the country has everything necessary for it, including the necessary hardware of Belarusian make.
The forestry minister stressed that forest fires are caused by people’s actions in 99.9% of the cases. “But I’d like to say that culture and responsibility of our population have improved considerably. And people take a careful attitude [towards forests],” Aleksandr Kulik said.
An all-time high and search for alternative markets
The Forestry Ministry restructured its work amidst the Western sanctions in 2022. Nevertheless, even in these conditions the country has managed to secure an all-time high in timber export. Before the sanctions Belarus exported 60,000 m3 of lumber monthly. The export dropped a bit in July 2022 when the sanctions came into force. “But since then the lumber export has bounced back to reach an all-time high of 77,000 m3,” the minister said.
Before the sanctions countries of the European Union were the main target market for Belarusian sawn timber. The European Union accounted for 56% of the country’s lumber export. Shipments to the European Union have ceased. The target markets are now China (52%, up from 37%), Azerbaijan (24%, up from 4%), and Russia (6%).
“We have occupied this niche, and most importantly, the export has risen both in terms of volume and value. Over seven months we shipped products worth $90.4 million,” said Aleksandr Kulik.
Nevertheless, the president was critical of economic efficiency. Belarus needs a product with a greater added value. Belarus needs to look for new target markets where the profitability and sales margins of products will be higher. The president’s message is clear: forest is Belarus’ most valuable asset and a renewable source of energy. Timber has to sell with a higher added value.
Unfortunately, the sanctions have indeed disrupted some plans of the forestry industry. For instance, the problem of processing wood waste into fuel pellets is being resolved insufficiently fast. Several years ago Belarus put considerable effort into creating the facilities to make wood fuel pellets with an eye to the vast market of the EU countries that has been closed to Belarus. “Unfortunately, our foes [have imposed sanctions]. People are freezing, but politics is above economy there. We have capacities. And ordinary firms [in the EU] are looking for a way to resume contacts. But it is hard to overcome the barrier that politicians have put up between us,” Aleksandr Kulik said.
Nevertheless, Belarus is looking for new target markets to sell these products. “I would not like to reveal details prematurely. We have already laid some groundwork. A certain volume will be sold,” the minister said.
These products are also in demand in Belarus. A pilot project has already been implemented in Novogrudok District to convert a number of old boiler houses to an automated system that uses fuel pellets. The approach demonstrates its effectiveness.
Proprietary retail outlets and wooden houses
The Belarus President backed the Forestry Ministry’s endeavor to promote proprietary trade platforms under the umbrella brand Lesnoi Domik [Little Forest Home]. The president examined the slides in detail and backed the idea. And he gave instructions to continue promoting it in order to bring forestry industry products closer to customers.
All the products made by Belarusian forestry enterprises have been sold only via woodworking divisions until recently. A chain of 15 retail outlets under the umbrella brand Lesnoi Domik [Little Forest Home] has been created in order to improve access to the products. The retail outlets are located not only in oblast capitals but also in major cities. Belarusians are encouraged to buy products made by the forestry enterprises and other Belarusian manufacturers. For instance, products made by enterprises of the Belarusian timber, woodworking, pulp and paper industry concern Bellesbumprom, paints and varnishes, metal goods.
Providing the nation with products made by forestry enterprises was emphasized during the report. In 2022 the head of state signed decree No.294, which optimized sales of commercial timber to individual persons at lower prices for the sake of building, rebuilding, and repairing residential houses or household outbuildings. At present citizens can get up to 70m3 of timber at more affordable prices in comparison with commodity exchange prices for building or rebuilding and up to 10m3 of timber for current repairs of the appropriate real estate properties. As many as 2,500 citizens used this right in H1 2023 alone.
Apart from that, in order to fulfill instructions of the head of state and the government to reduce the cost of timber, forestry enterprises offer lower prices for timber for housing construction in rural areas, including rented housing for workers of agricultural enterprises and the population with the profit margin limited to 5%.
Aleksandr Lukashenko drew attention to the need to keep an eye on the matter, to make sure that goods with social discounts are received only by those, who need them, to make sure to avoid abuses.
By the way, the Forestry Ministry is working to promote prefabricated wooden homes of its own making onto the market. Aleksandr Kulik said: “We’ve developed standard designs. We are now going through legal procedures in order to be able to use them multiple times. The main components for building the houses are sold via the trade platforms by forestry enterprises.”
Measures are already being taken to expand the lineup of the available houses. Taking into account the population’s demand, two more designs for building small houses have been worked out. As of 1 July 2023 as many as 19 forestry enterprises acquired equipment and are ready to make the prefabricated houses that are on display. The number of manufacturers will be raised to 25 by the end of the year.
CHECK BUT NO MATE. Why did Aleksandr Lukashenko come to Belarusian State University?
To complete the work week, Aleksandr Lukashenko went to Belarusian State University on 25 August. In anticipation of the start of the new academic year. But it was not the only reason for a serious talk in the rector’s office. Problems concerning the university’s operation were discussed. Many of them affect other higher education institutions as well. This is why rectors of higher education institutions from all over the country took part in the conference.
But before the conference Aleksandr Lukashenko went to see an exhibition located at Belarusian State University and featuring scientific products among other things. A set of solutions for the optical remote sensing of Earth from the International Space Station (ISS), working models and systems of the aerospace measurements training laboratory. The university also designs satellites. A second-generation satellite has been successfully launched recently. Systems to support the satellite’s operation on the ground are being designed now. Those are antenna and optical systems. Aleksandr Lukashenko also examined veterinary drugs, environmentally safe biological preparations for plants, unique advances in the area of anticancer drugs, spirometers designed to assess the respiratory system as well as food additives for the bakery, meat, confectionery and beverage industries.
Aleksandr Lukashenko spoke in positive terms about what he had seen. Later on during the conference he even noted that in a number of areas Belarusian State University can present serious competition for scientists from the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.
The Belarusian leader noted: “BSU is more than a university. It is the history and future of the country. Founded during the formation of the Belarusian statehood, it has come to epitomize the scientific and industrial power of contemporary Belarus. Your projects are really cutting-edge. I knew that you were doing this, but I did not think that you had advanced to such a high level. We will draw the attention of our manufacturers to this, if necessary.”
He also noted that huge public funds had been invested in the upgrade of the university, and this money should be used in the interests of the country and its welfare system.
A final polish for the education system
At the beginning of the meeting the head of state invited BSU Rector Andrei Korol to say a few words on the topic of the day. The rector expressed his conviction that this meeting would broaden and even change the perspective of its participants. He also thanked the president for taking the time to pay attention to the university’s work.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “You put it very well when you said that not only you, but I also should learn something really new at this meeting. I urge you to do this. I would appreciate any remarks about education in Belarus as a whole. This is a big topic now. It is on everyone’s lips. For me it is one of the most important topics, which should be finally and irreversibly outlined this year.”
“Of course, we will improve the system. As scientists you understand that nothing is set in stone. We will move forward. Education is a very important human resource, a key factor. I believe that the most important thing for a person is education. Followed by health and the rest. If a healthy person is uneducated, you know what kind of person this is. This year we should finally fine-tune our system [of education], determine in which way to go and make sure that these changes will go down well with parents and the general public,” the head of state said.
Problems in the BSU and personnel management
“There is no concealing the fact that I have been receiving various reports about the processes that have been going on in the university lately. They are alarming,” the head of state said. “Moreover, I remember the year 2020 very well when you showed your true face. But I did not make any remarks then. You may have noticed that. I did not criticize you. I thought that you were an advanced part of our society and would eventually understand everything you had done here. Or our children first of all would. Frankly speaking, professors also showed their true worth then. This is why any negative trends alarm me, even the smallest ones, at the very beginning of their evolvement.”
The situation at Belarusian State University was examined by various departments. Open meetings were held as well as meetings behind closed doors, certain information was received. The Belarus President Administration, the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Research, the National Academy of Sciences, and other government bodies were involved in this work. This was done to rule out any mistakes in the subsequent decision making of the head of state. Reports submitted to the head of state contained a number of essential problems in the operation of the university, including poor personnel policy of the administration, insufficient involvement of the rector’s office and first of all, the rector in administrative work.
The conclusion reached by the responsible persons, including the Belarus President Administration is as follows: decentralization of the management and poor teamwork can lead to the loss of control over the university and the loss of leading positions in scientific and educational sectors.
As a result the government, the Education Ministry, and the Belarus President Administration suggested that the rector should be replaced. But Aleksandr Lukashenko was in no rush to make hasty conclusions because it is unacceptable to change the leadership of the country’s leading higher education institution in a haphazard way. The president has always drawn attention to a peculiar atmosphere in higher education institutions where particularly students and sometimes professors demonstrate a degree of freethinking. In a university it manifests as competition of different opinions and discussions. It is quite a natural phenomenon and even a necessary one. It is also unacceptable for outsiders to excessively interfere in the processes going on in universities.
During the conference Education Minister Andrei Ivanets presented a report on the situation at the BSU. Head of the Belarus President Administration Igor Sergeyenko informed those present in detail about shortcomings in the work of the power vertical, failures in personnel management.
Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Natalya Kochanova and Information Minister Vladimir Pertsov presented their stance on the matter. The president also heard out reports and opinions of top BSU administrators, talked to deans of the faculties, professors of Belarusian State University in order to find out their opinion about the situation in the university. It turned out that they were in positive mood, mentioned new positive approaches to the education process. The development of the university’s physical infrastructure was also mentioned. The BSU has substantially improved its positions in international rankings in the last few years. The staff stressed that they are ready to fix all the shortcomings and reorganize their work if necessary.
As a result Aleksandr Lukashenko did not make radical personnel decisions. He reminded that he had appointed Andrei Korol BSU rector because he wanted this position to be held by a person from the outside: “They say that a system may die without an influx of fresh blood. Therefore, we handpicked a young, promising, likable person who was supposed to head up BSU, a very important but difficult university to run. And you may have noticed that I brought him from the west [Andrei Korol had previously worked as the rector of Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno]. I was not afraid that he was a person from the west where we had a lot of problems.”
The president believes that considering the situation and results of the discussion “a smart person will make conclusions out of it”. Andrei Korol will keep his job, but oversight will be serious, Aleksandr Lukashenko warned.
Addressing the rector, the president said: “I ask you not to let me down. In this particular case I don’t see sufficient grounds to interfere in the personnel policy of the university and make any dramatic decisions regarding its administration.”
“I think that this conversation of ours was useful for all of us. Both for you and for me. Please, all those present, draw conclusions from our conversation. And strive to produce results. This is why get your act together. And keep pushing forward. Don’t stop. It is demanding. And do not think that the president came for some showdown. No showdown. I believe that the current team, the current administration is able to perform its duties,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
Plans to visit universities more often and a signal for those resting on laurels
During the conference Aleksandr Lukashenko said that upon his instructions the government had carried out a performance review of the rectors of all the higher education institutions in the country. The results are upsetting. Some rectors rest on their laurels, delegate their administrative functions to deputies, focus on journalism, and perform purely representative functions. “I cannot allow it to stand. Particularly today when so many opportunities for popularizing Belarusian education among friendly and interested countries have opened up,” he noted.
According to the head of state, his arrival at the BSU is only the beginning of his consequent work in higher education institutions. “There will be deep autumn. Then winter. I will not have more time to spare since there is always work to do but I will not have to run in the field [to check harvesting progress and other agricultural operations] and some more issues may be addressed. I will instruct the presidential administration to plan my work in higher education institutions. I am going to visit higher education institutions more frequently. I have given instructions to invite rectors today so that they could see how conversations in their universities would proceed in the future. And not only with me. I have many high-ranking officials, members of the government, oblast governors, and the rest. They are prepared, sensible people. Let’s work,” the president said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko warned the rectors: “[Head of the Belarus President Administration Igor] Sergeyenko is right that you show some lack of flexible thinking now. Men, we will shake you up very well soon. It is inadmissible. You have to provide quality education. If someone lets standards slide and stops trying, they have to stop it. Including in our Belarusian State University.”
The head of state remarked that perhaps he should also have worked with rectors, prorectors, deans himself and should have visited universities more often: “Due to the circumstances one could say I had other things on my mind. It wasn’t right. Until today! Here is the future of our country. Here are future executives, the elite. I will make conclusions out of it and so do my subordinates.”
The need to get mobilized in order to preserve the country
“No matter who runs this university, it is necessary to shield it from unnecessary external influence. The university must develop as it should. Not only in compliance with the laws of Belarus, but also in line with its internal laws. It is unacceptable to interfere with the university’s affairs and try to create a privileged position for someone,” the Belarusian leader stressed.
At the same time, he noted that the university should stick to the government policy. “I want you to hear me. This is a state-run higher education institution. Therefore, whether you like it or not, the government policy should be clearly observed here. I will no longer persuade anyone the way I did before. You are smart people. You saw what happened, what is happening. We need to get mobilized in order to go through this period. How long will it last? Maybe two, maybe three years. Nobody knows. Neither you nor I know this. Therefore, we need to stand united if we want to get past it. This is how the situation is unfolding. I don’t know if it’s good or bad. On the one hand, it’s good. On the other, it’s bad,” the president said.
We need to get mobilized to preserve the country,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized. “No, we are not rich. Yes, we have plenty of everything. Both negative and positive things. But we have the key thing: we live in a quiet country and raise our kids. If we had not persevered in 2020, things would be worse in Belarus than they are in Ukraine. This is why I always tell foreigners: you should pray for Belarusians. We saved you from World War Three by persevering here. The fiercest fight would have erupted here. One night decided everything. This is why I was running there with an assault rifle like crazy because I understood what could have happened the next day.”
The head of state encouraged everyone to make his or her own contribution to the development and preservation of Belarus since there is no other country like that. “No, we are not a huge country but a very important one. You know where we are. Look anywhere and you will see ‘Belarus, Belarus, Belarus’. At all the crossroads. Since we have managed to build the country, let’s preserve it. And everyone has to do something to this end. Do whatever you can. I don’t ask too much. Do everything you can do in your place. If everyone does their best, we will be twice as rich,” he stressed.
The head of state drew attention to the importance of training promising personnel and the importance of a gradual change of generations in various spheres, including state administration. Poor ideological work was also mentioned. Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “The year 2020 cut off everything. One can say we live in a different country now. But there must be movement from the bottom to the top. The Belarus President Administration is catastrophically underperforming in this regard. I say it sincerely yet another time. They lack a system. This is why complaints can be formulated. Including complaints about him [the rector of Belarusian State University], the administration of the university. There are plenty of problems. But we should also see our own shortcomings. This is why Igor Petrovich [Sergeyenko, Head of the Belarus President Administration], get together and think about how we are going to recover from the existing situation.”
Different points of view and the inadmissibility of breaking each other’s ribs
While streamlining the work of higher education institutions, it is necessary to take into account peculiarities of these organizations and of the people that work there. After all, those are special, well-trained people and they should not have to face excessive demands or some infringements.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “After all, I am your colleague, a professor, a lecturer. And I was looking at the audience when people were making speeches. Some scowled. Some nodded. Some disagreed. I see that not everything is unambiguous even in this audience. Well, it doesn’t have to be. There is no need for this unambiguity. We don’t want to pressure someone or strangle their opinions. I often say that they put a schedule on my table and I host conferences virtually every day. If there are no different points of view, I put aside the document right away. There is no need for a conference then.”
“Several points of view are necessary. We have to accurately discuss these matters. We shouldn’t attack each other. We shouldn’t crush each other. These are our people after all. We have to treat them carefully. We must not break each other’s ribs in this situation. Ribs of our people at that. Not enemies,” the Belarusian leader stressed.
Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that he encourages defense, security, and law enforcement agencies to also follow this policy because they need to try to convince even opponents first. “But you have to see the enemy. Such is the time. But you have to be very careful,” he remarked.
Speaking about intellectuals, the president said he believes that it is inadmissible to “hone” them to meet needs of a political figure. “It must not happen in our society. No streets, no monuments. Especially when the person is still alive,” he believes.
PMC WAGNER LIVES. What did Lukashenko say in response to fake news regarding the demise of PMC Wagner bosses?
After a lengthy conference about the future of the country’s leading higher education institution the head of state met with reporters and answered the key questions people had wanted to ask after the tragic accident that happened to the business jet of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the private military company (PMC) Wagner.
What happened to Yevgeny Prigozhin’s aircraft?
The head of state noted that he cannot answer this question because he had not been to the aircraft’s crash site. But he cannot disprove anything with 100% certainty.
“I am only starting to think: a missile shot it down, an explosion happened on board… Do you know how a missile can shoot down an aircraft? Only the commander-in-chief can order the Aerospace Forces to do something. Then [the commanding officer of] a specific army unit will be ordered. And he will order a specific manning detail. Do you understand how many people get involved? What idiot would do it? Although I don’t deny that I’ll be damned if I know, some crazy people may have done it. But I don’t believe it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.
The president said: “The fact that the tail had been torn away has definitely been confirmed already. It means that an explosion on board was likely. I personally don’t know who did it.”
Is Putin behind the attempt on Prigozhin’s life?
Aleksandr Lukashenko gave a definite answer to this question: the Russian president cannot be behind it. Many are now trying to prove the contrary and saddle Vladimir Putin with the responsibility for everything. According to the Belarusian head of state, Vladimir Putin has absolutely nothing to do with it.
The president stressed: “I am not going to be the advocate even of my elder brother. But I know Putin. He is a calculating, very calm, and even sluggish person when he makes decisions on other, less important matters. This is why I cannot imagine that Putin did it, that Putin is guilty. It was too sloppy, unprofessional job for that matter. It doesn’t look like Putin’s. But whatever happened and however it happened, Putin will be blamed for it anyway. The system of government both in Belarus and Russia lays blame for any bad thing on the presidents. There is no need to look for a scapegoat. But I say that it was a sloppy, disgusting, abnormal job. And I am far from thinking that Putin did it, that he instructed someone to do it, that the government did it.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that it would be genuine madness to order the destruction of the aircraft for a head of state and Vladimir Putin is not that kind of person.
“I know Putin. I know how scrupulous, careful, delicate he is. I don’t believe he would do such a thing. And another point. It is madness for a head of state. He is no madman. I am far from calling him white and fluffy. He has a dirty job. I am not saying he is white and fluffy but I know that he will be blamed for everything. So it happens. The West has started shouting. Others started singing along that Putin is evil and vindictive. No matter how it happened, whatever happened, time will tell. Time will pass and we will learn everything. It is impossible to hide it nowadays. But what happened is disgusting. It is unacceptable for me. From another point of view as well: all of us are men, war is war, but what are the three pilots and the flight attendant guilty of? Half the people over there had nothing to do with this ‘march of justice’. This is why I don’t understand it and don’t accept it. It is unacceptable,” the Belarusian leader said.
What did Lukashenko promise to Prigozhin?
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “If I had to answer this question directly, I’d say I am not supposed to ensure Prigozhin’s security. That’s the first point. The second point is that we have never spoken along these lines.”
The president remarked that two things had been discussed during negotiations with Yevgeny Prigozhin: the termination of criminal cases against PMC Wagner personnel and their extraction to Belarus. “I suggested it. I said: ‘If you are afraid of something, I will talk to President Putin and we will extract you to Belarus. We guarantee full security to you in Belarus.’ And credit where credit is due, Yevgeny Prigozhin has never asked me to separately pay attention to security matters,” he stressed.
Aleksandr Lukashenko went on saying: “I will simply give you another example. The last time we flew to the UAE, I received some very serious information from deep sources. As deep as anything. About an attempt on the life of Yevgeny Prigozhin. I gave instructions and within two hours they found Russia’s ambassador to the Emirates and summoned him to me. I handed over a coded telegram about the attempt on Prigozhin’s life to him for delivery to Putin and Bortnikov in the Kremlin.”
Some time later Aleksandr Lukashenko asked Yevgeny Prigozhin whether he had received this information. The PMC Wagner founder confirmed that the Russian president had warned him about the assassination in the making.
In response to claims that the Belarus president had failed to deliver on the security guarantees he had promised to Yevgeny Prigozhin, Aleksandr Lukashenko responded calmly: “Well, they have to write something after all. In order to bite me and the rest. Not more than that. It is stupid. They said it yesterday and half of those, who read it, laughed right away. And a day later the other half thought: ‘What does Lukashenko have to do with it? How could he ensure Prigozhin’s security in Africa?’ Prigozhin was flying from Africa. And then he landed in Moscow and left for St. Petersburg. How could I ensure his security? This is why I am not the guy you should be asking to answer these questions. Moreover, we’ve never had this conversation. About ensuring security in someone else’s territory.”
In its own territory the Belarusian side has honored all the promises to PMC Wagner personnel. And even did more than that, Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out. He added: “They have no complaints. The KGB chief contacted them yesterday upon my instruction and handed over only one message to them from me: we will honor everything Prigozhin and I have agreed.”
Will PMC Wagner personnel stay in Belarus after what happened?
“PMC Wagner lived, PMC Wagner lives, and PMC Wagner will live in Belarus despite anyone’s wishes to the contrary. Prigozhin and I came up with a system of how PMC Wagner will be accommodated in Belarus. And these satellite images claiming that we are dismantling something… Why are we removing extra tents? We don’t need that many. The core will stay here. Some are on leave. Some decided to live somewhere else but the core has their contact information. Within several days all of them will be here. Up to 10,000 people. There is no need to keep them here now. They will come here in certain batches for training. If Russia wants to take them for rotation to Africa, go ahead, we don’t mind it, those people may stay here. We help and support them. This is why they are not fleeing anywhere. As many people as this unit and we need will live and work in Belarus. We will honor our promise. They know the terms,” the head of state stressed.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also debunked a myth claiming that a Russian military transport aircraft landed in Belarus after the crash of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s aircraft. The president said that the relevant request had been made but nobody had landed in Belarus yet. “We definitely coordinated with Russia when PMC Wagner personnel asked for a permission to use our airfields in order to collect troops for rotation to Africa I think and some gear, equipment, and so on. Feel free to land and take them. I promised that. I guaranteed that. That’s the first point. The second point is that there have been no planes. This is why these are lies. But the relevant request had been made. We received it on 21 August,” he noted.
In his words, Belarusian military personnel take pleasure in learning from PMC Wagner personnel. Particularly the internal troops and special units. “I am surprised that there is no rejection. Our military personnel don’t mind it. All kinds of things may happen. This is why they are absorbing everything,” the Belarusian leader noted. “I had my fears. I read descriptions by you and your colleagues: they are former convicts, they are the bad sort. Listen, they will help an old lady across a street and don’t take change in a shop. Surprising people. Iron discipline. If you are afraid of wolves, don’t go into the forest. We don’t keep them here for pleasure but for benefits. And we’ve built a system to keep everything under control.”
BALTIC MASOCHISM. Who will be most affected by the possible closure of the Belarusian border?
Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia have been recently actively debating the possibility of fully closing their borders with Belarus. Some steps have already been made. The ministers of foreign affairs of the three countries will meet in Warsaw on 28 August to discuss the matter.
When asked to comment on the matter, Aleksandr Lukashenko said he was confident that if Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland close their borders with Belarus, they will only make things worse for themselves and their own citizens.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I don’t quite understand Lithuania and Latvia. Most likely they are just getting ahead of themselves. They should make sure they don’t get crushed by it. They want to show off. But the consequences will be unfavorable for them. If they want to close the borders, they should go ahead and do it. We don’t travel to Lithuania and Latvia anyway and we don’t work via them. For whom will they make things worse? They will make things worse only for themselves and their own people. They are afraid that their people have started coming to us and see how we live. About 700,000 people have already visited Belarus since the visa-free travel program was launched.”
The president stressed that Belarus is a peaceful country and has no claims against its western neighbors: “We want to live in our land. We need neither Poland’s nor Lithuania’s nor Latvia’s. But they have political psychosis due to the upcoming elections. Particularly in Poland. This is why they are going to inflate tensions. If they close the borders, they should go ahead. They will make things worse only for themselves. Their people have already been reduced to poverty as it is: they imported firewood from Belarus in winter because they had no other fuel. And we don’t mind it. We will help them. If necessary, we will help them for free so that people would get by,” he stated.
“People over there are not fools. They are strong and seasoned. Just like we are. They will soon knock down these rulers,” Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced.
ON THE BELARUSIAN HORSE. Why are Polish politicians actively looking for an external enemy?
Aleksandr Lukashenko attributed the excitement and interest in various statements and publications concerning Belarusian affairs in Poland to the desire of local politicians to slap together an external enemy and use it to gain an advantage during elections. “As for Belarusian topics in Poland, Poles need to understand that there is only one reason: they need some external enemy. Belarus, Russia. An enemy like that,” the head of state said.
He remarked that Belarusian topics are in demand in Poland and Poland residents want their politicians to answer a few questions. “Poles keep talking about Belarus: ‘Why did we, Poles, land in this mess? Why do we lack these or those things? And fuel is expensive and other things. While Belarusians don’t [have such problems]’,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
“They make comparisons. This is why they need to find problems in Belarus. They want to use this Belarusian horse to ride into the parliament. It won’t work. We explain everything to Poles. In the near future we will step up these talks about Polish affairs. We are going to tell them the truth. And the Poles see it themselves, too,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
While talking to reporters, Aleksandr Lukashenko also made a few remarks about the migration problem at the European Union borders. “We didn’t create this wave. They [the European Union] refused to cooperate with us, build these facilities, finance projects and so on. And they introduced sanctions against us,” he reminded.
When there was no war in Ukraine, migrants kept going to the European Union via Ukraine as well. They have only one window left now: Belarus. “But taking into consideration Europe’s policy on Belarus, we will not go to extraordinary lengths trying to protect Europe,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY. What did Aleksandr Lukashenko tell the West not to worry about?
The Collective Security Treaty Organization’s joint operational and strategic exercise Combat Brotherhood 2023 will take place in Belarus on 1-6 September. The exercise will take place in military training areas and locations in Brest Oblast, Grodno Oblast, and Minsk Oblast. The military contingents, which will take part in the exercise, have already started arriving in Belarus.
Asked whether the West should treat this military exercise as some special signal, the president gave an answer along the lines of the American hit song Don’t Worry, Be Happy. We advise you to listen to it. It is quite soothing.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Frankly speaking, I didn’t even learn details of this exercise. But in the current situation in order not to inflate tensions, I’d like to say there is no combat component in it. Small units of some CSTO states will be there to focus mainly on staff things, tactics, and strategy for the future. This is why all of them know. We’ve warned them in advance after all.”
Yet the head of state is convinced that the West will exploit the relevant matters. “They will say that Putin and Lukashenko have once again come up with something in Belarus and are close to invading unlucky Poland again… Nothing like that. No offensive. We practice usual things that were planned a long time ago. This is why you and they do not have to worry about it,” he stated.
THE FIRST STEP. How did the BRICS summit bring nightmares of Americans closer?
Meanwhile, the West should think long and hard about its future role in the world power balance. The journalists asked whether the hegemony of the West ended due to the increase in the number of BRICS members and plans to further strengthen this organization. The head of state responded: “I think that the Western hegemony is not on its last legs yet. But that was a strong move in this direction. This put on high alert not only media, but also high-level politicians. There is something to think about. This is a huge step towards a multipolar world.”
“BRICS has taken this step. Great. This is the first step,” the president continued. “And then we might see some settlement mechanisms, some currency. This is what they fear most of all, especially the Americans who call the shots. They are fully aware that the dollar might soon be replaced by a new currency, and their hegemony will come to an end. They will no longer be able to ride this gravy train. Instead of printing these dollars they will have to earn them the hard way like we and the rest of the world do.”