Lukashenko: Belarusians do not want war but will respond decidedly to any aggression

Belarusians do not want war, but will give a resolute and tough response to any provocation, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a ceremony to honor graduates of higher military educational institutions and senior officers at the Palace of Independence on 16 July, BelTA has learned.

The head of state emphasized a special significance of the event for the country: “We are honoring graduates of higher military schools and officers who have been awarded general ranks.” According to the president, all these people have the high honor to reach these pinnacles of success in their profession and career in the year of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from Nazi invaders. “This means to carry the banner of the Victory of our fathers and grandfathers through the whole life, to pass it on to our children and grandchildren,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized. “You are officers. In the eyes of millions of your compatriots the people in uniform are the main guarantor of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The head of state noted that the military are well aware of what is happening now in the southern and western border areas of the country. In fact, Belarusians are in the same situation as their ancestors were eight decades ago and need to stand firm and not allow the enemies to drag Belarus into the military conflict. "We have been doing everything necessary for this, up to hosting the most terrible thing - nuclear weapons," the Belarusian leader noted.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Belarus is sometimes accused of escalating the situation. In fact the country ensures military security and strengthens its defense capabilities, including in order to prevent a repetition of the tragedy of 1941.

“We will continue to develop, strengthen and improve our Armed Forces, taking into account the experience of combat operations,” the president assured. “Belarusians do not want war, but will give a resolute and tough response to any provocation. Each of you are aware of this. This is our principled position. We have the strength and means to fight back any aggressor,” he said.