Minsk (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said that Belarus is willing to have a dialogue with the European Union.
Lukashenko told the media on 26 January,
We have never been against relations with the West. We have always been ready to do so. But they don’t want it. So what should we do? Should we bow down before them or beg for their favor?
Quoted BelTA,
We are ready for negotiation with the European Union, even with those who pursue hostile policy against us.
The presidential election is to be held on 26th January 2025. Alexander Lukashenko is going to stand for his seventh term as President. For it to be voted on, it happens following a political landscape that had high tension and discontent, plus allegations of electoral fraud after the last election was conducted in 2020.
How does Lukashenko explain his position to the West?
Lukashenko has often dismissed declarations by the EU regarding the legitimacy of his presidency and elections as interference in Belarus’ internal affairs. He described the rhetoric of the EU as “outright falsifications” and claimed that the conclusions drawn are “divorced from reality.”
As a reaction to the sanctions from the EU, Lukashenko threatened to allow an influx of migrants and drugs into Europe, stating that Belarus had previously handled these issues. This statement came during a time of heightened tensions between his regime and the crackdown on dissent.
Lukashenko blames the EU for sponsoring activities opposing his government that are supposedly pro-Belarusian public. He states that it is nothing but “shameless double talk,” especially amid the economic sanctions the country has encountered.
