President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko took part in the III Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security, BelTA reports.
This year's conference is being held on 28-29 October. It has already become one of the prominent international platforms for discussing topical issues of regional and global stability.
Delegations from over 40 states and 7 international organizations are participating in the conference. Among the participants are foreign ministers, heads of integration associations, representatives of parliaments, research institutes, and analytical centres from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
The main theme of the conference is "Global World (Dis)order and the Eurasian Security Puzzle". Discussions will focus on analysing key trends in international relations and developing approaches to forming a new security architecture based on the principles of equality, indivisibility, and mutual respect.
Special attention will be paid to dialogue between East and West, strengthening confidence-building measures, and preventing confrontation.
The Belarusian side consistently advocates for the development of a neutral, inclusive platform where representatives of various states and political schools can openly exchange views without pressure or biased assessments. The goal of the conference is not to achieve agreement at any cost, but to create a space where one can be heard, which is of particular value today amid growing international turbulence.
"The conference was awaited not only by us, the participants, but also by our opponents, who are closely watching Minsk today. Not everyone was supposed to make it to Minsk today. This is precisely the goal pursued by some of our neighbours, having pulled off this insane scam of closing the border. And they came up with an absurd pretext. Hot air balloons. Even for such a small country as Lithuania, this is petty," said the head of state.
"I responsibly declare that there is no talk of any extraordinary contraband. But this says a lot about the political potential of our conference," added Alexander Lukashenko.
The head of state noted that the Minsk Conference is becoming more in demand every year and has already taken its place in the calendar of international events. For example, this year it is attended by 48 countries, compared to 38 in 2024.
"Why? Where else can fundamental security issues on our common continent be discussed openly and honestly? In Munich? Perhaps. But they only want to see and hear those who have passed the 'ideological sieve'. If it were up to them, Americans wouldn't be allowed in either. What if they again speak the truth about the 'European garden': about lost values, dependency, hypocrisy, censorship, and double standards," said the Head of State.
Lukashenko: Western politicians are leading their countries to self-isolation from the world
"Western politicians are still convinced that they can force everyone to follow their interests by force. And those who don't bend will be isolated. They just don't want to understand and accept today's reality. Their policy of illegal sanctions and new dividing lines – be it ideological barriers, closed borders and skies – is a direct path to self-isolation from the world," the Head of State is confident.
He stated that the world as a whole has moved forward, and the understanding of the need for conflict-free coexistence, tolerance, and respect for differences is coming to the forefront. And in this world, the Global Majority has realised itself as a full and equal participant.
Lukashenko considers ignoring the principle of indivisible security a fatal mistake
"The main reason for the lack of progress in global de-escalation is the consistent disregard for the principle of indivisible security. As a result, international relations today must be characterised not in terms of trust and cooperation, but by data on kilometres of new barriers and megatons of deadly weapons. Behind such dangerous mathematics lie the destinies not just of individuals, but of all humanity!" said the Head of State.
Lukashenko: Allegedly spontaneous revolutions of Generation Z are becoming a separate challenge
"Recently, we have managed to reach resolutions (long-term, I hope) on several long-standing conflicts: Azerbaijan and Armenia have signed a peace agreement, the two-year war in Gaza has stopped," the President said. "There are no glimmers of hope in other hotspots."
Alexander Lukashenko recalled the example he cited at the previous conference, stating that there are about 50 armed conflicts of varying intensity in the world. This is the maximum number since the end of World War II.
"The ferocity, the number of victims, refugees, and economic losses are growing. So-called spontaneous revolutions of Generation Z (Bangladesh, Nepal, Madagascar) are becoming a separate challenge," the Belarusian leader stated.
Lukashenko on the West: They Have Descended to Theft
"Sanctions are one thing. They have now descended to theft. Take the gold and foreign exchange reserves of Russia and Belarus. They have reached the point where they are taking this money without remorse and directing it where they see fit, as if it were their own," the President noted.
He believes that this needs a response, including the creation of an alternative currency.
"We very much want to look optimistically at the future of European and, more broadly, Eurasian security. However, the actual processes and phenomena we are observing do not provide serious grounds for this yet. Quite the contrary," the Head of State said. "We have warned more than once: one cannot divide common space of trust with impunity. Now everyone has to reap the rewards of such short-sighted policies."
"A Purely Defensive Step." Lukashenko on Guarantees within the Union State and Nuclear Weapons
"The Treaty on Security Guarantees within the Union State, signed last year, provides for the use of any types of weapons, including nuclear ones. For defence! I emphasise once again: this step is purely defensive in nature and is taken in strict accordance with international law and the provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons," the Belarusian leader stated.
"We are not targeting anywhere, we do not need any Europe, Paris or London. Not even Lithuania and Poland, Vilnius and Warsaw. We do not need escalation," the head of state said.
Lukashenko named the reason for deploying "Oreshnik" in Belarus
"The deployment of these weapons in Belarus is nothing but a response to the escalation of the situation in the region and modern threats. Please, let's move away from this, and the talk about "Oreshnik" will stop. We are not threatening anyone, we are only ensuring our own security. Moreover, we are always open to constructive dialogue and mutual steps to reduce tensions. If our partners in the West are ready for this, neither we nor Russia will be left behind!" the Belarusian leader stated.
Lukashenko: So far, the impression is that Europe does not need peace
"So far, the impression is that Europe does not need peace. Politicians have forgotten the horrors brought by the Second World War. They believed that building up military potential would make them safe. No, and again no! This is a path to nowhere, another step up the escalation ladder," the Belarusian leader emphasised.
Lukashenko rejected accusations of Belarus using migration as a weapon
"In the logic of double standards, which has become habitual, the West is trying to artificially accuse Belarus of using migration as a weapon. I state clearly and unequivocally: we do not engage and do not intend to engage in the use of migration processes in any form," said the Head of State.
He called for calling things by their proper names, emphasizing that migration is primarily a consequence of crises, a consequence of destroyed economies, broken social ties, and ruined state institutions in Africa, the Middle East, and a number of other countries as a result of the irresponsible policy of the collective West.
"When you destabilize and bomb other countries, pump out their resources, and jeopardize their future, what do you expect? That people will remain in the ruins of their homes? No, they will go where they hope there is at least relative security for them and their children. And tell these unfortunate people that they have no right to do so," the President said.
Lukashenko stated readiness to respond to attempts to subordinate Minsk to foreign will
The Head of State stressed that security cannot be built on threats and ultimatums. "This is simply a dead end. Without trust and cooperation, without justice, any security system will remain an extremely shaky structure," he stated.
For Belarus, according to the President, the issue of security is particularly important, as the country is not just an observer, but a direct participant in geopolitical processes in the very center of Europe.
"And we are not naive. We understand that attempts to create overwhelming military superiority on our borders, undermine our economy, and constant provocation of social unrest are ways to subordinate Minsk to foreign will. We will respond as best we can. We have our own capabilities. We have support in the face of fraternal Russia. We have the support of the countries of the Global Majority," the Belarusian leader stated.
"We have our own mentality, our own culture, our own historical stage of societal development. We do not accept ideological aggression, or any other kind. And you have created the tense external conditions for us. They are also conducting subversive activities. They have bought up a dozen or so of our fugitives, hook, line, and sinker, and are creating an image for them as almost legitimate authorities in Belarus and Russia. And then they shout: "Putin and Lukashenko are co-aggressors." We will survive," said Alexander Lukashenko.
"We do not consider ourselves guilty of the deterioration of relations with the West and its individual countries. But we extend our hand. This is not the hand of a beggar. This is the hand of a partner with its own dignity, who proposes to work together and sincerely for peace for our children and grandchildren," stressed Alexander Lukashenko.
In his speech, the Head of State touched upon the issue of overcoming the migration crisis, noting the need for all parties to ensure control over the situation.
"We need to negotiate, for example, within the framework of a global deal. We can discuss President Trump's "all for all" approach with both the USA and Europe," added Alexander Lukashenko.
It is obvious, according to him, that a unified system for checking migrants is needed, the fight against criminal human trafficking groups should be intensified, and deportation procedures for violators should be accelerated.
Lukashenko: The US may be "staging a play" regarding Russia concerning the Ukrainian conflict
"I am very afraid that the Americans' position regarding Russia concerning the Ukrainian conflict is a staged play. The latest data increasingly suggests this. I would not want this. I would like us to end this war as it should be. And there can be no games here. Because, as Trump himself says, many people are dying. But these are just talks," said the President.