30 December, Minsk Region /Tatsiana Palazhay - BELTA/. Belarus will no longer accept any ultimatums. This was stated today by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to journalists, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. Answering the question of how Alexander Lukashenko would react to the West's demand to release all arrested individuals, including ex-presidential candidates, as a condition for continuing contacts and dialogue, the head of state said: "We will no longer accept any ultimatums. If unacceptable conditions are set for us, especially based on double standards, we will not accept them either." "There is no need to demand from me: we will act as in France, Germany, where the president can release a person from investigation. Yes, I can do so at the investigation stage, the law allows me to, but if there are grounds for it," said the head of state. "If they are not involved in mass riots, but ended up there for ideological reasons, I will personally consider this issue. If you are guilty - I will not interfere with this." The President noted that everyone must answer for themselves, for their actions. "Their fate is in their own hands. And they know it. If someone tries to pressure us and make demands - it will only get worse," he added. -0-

BELTA