ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF BELARUS ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO AT THE SESSION OF THE CSTO COLLECTIVE SECURITY COUNCIL IN NARROW FORMAT
First of all, I want to thank you all for your speeches. The assessments of the situation in the region and in the world as a whole were sincere and frank. Allow me to share my vision of what is happening.
On National and Collective Interests
Undoubtedly, each of us looks at the world through the prism of national interests. This is, understandably, justified. We, the heads of state, are responsible for our peoples and are accountable to them for their future and security.
At the same time, the balance of observance of national and collective interests by all CSTO member states guarantees the stability and security of the region as a whole. This is dialectics. While each of us has our own area of responsibility within the organisation, we understand that modern challenges and threats are global in nature. Moreover, they intertwine our national interests into a single knot.
Therefore, I will focus on key, overarching problems that affect everyone and are closely interconnected.
We have already been caught in the whirlwind of changing eras. You all talk about this very often in your speeches. We are witnesses to the destruction of the previous system of international relations. And we are participants in the breakdown of the existing unipolar, if you will, West-centric model.
A phased transition to multipolarity is taking place. A complex, dramatic transition. This is due to the fact that Western politicians do not want to give up their positions, ignoring the inexorable march of history, which, as we know, cannot be stopped.
On the New Arms Race
Under the guise of an "order based on rules," which replaces international law, the West is increasingly trying to subjugate the whole world. All known dirty tricks are being used: from sanctions and blackmail to inciting inter-ethnic conflicts.
The question is rightly posed: what are these rules and who established them? It is a rhetorical question. Of course, we know who and why. The point is different: the majority of the world does not want to play by these rules, and the language of diplomacy has long been replaced by the rattling of weapons. International law works exclusively for the chosen few.
Against the backdrop of the odious militant rhetoric of certain politicians and the complete loss of mutual trust, the spiral of a new arms race is being deliberately unwound.
On the Conflict in the Middle East
The conflagration of regional conflicts, including the use of the latest weapon systems, could spread to other countries at any moment. It is no secret that weapons supplied to Kyiv are ending up on black markets. While Western politicians may not be concerned about this, we view the uncontrolled movement of weapons and military equipment as a potential threat to the security not only of our region but of all countries worldwide. This is especially true now, with a new hotspot flaring up in the Middle East.
Sufficient has been said about the causes of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the double standards of the collective West in assessing the actions of the parties involved.
Even supporters of the current regimes in the United States and the European Union are speaking about this. The division within the camp of so-called Western democrats is today's reality and evidence of their political sobering up. But this is not the point. Although the thesis of UN Secretary-General Guterres, who cited the lack of progress in political settlement as one of the causes of violence, deserves attention and further discussion.
What is more concerning is the global premonition of catastrophe that has gripped the world, the feeling that the spark of a regional conflict could ignite the flames of a new world war. This is often and widely discussed, and overseas they are merely waiting for countries close to the CSTO's area of responsibility to be drawn into it.
This so-called controlled chaos, this murky situation – this is what the United States and the West desire.
On the "Defensive Nature" of NATO
At the same time, NATO neighbours are rapidly arming themselves on the western flank. Poland's military budget, for example, is growing by leaps and bounds, and next year it is expected to reach 4% of GDP. It is interesting to consider how this aligns with their constant declarations about the Alliance's defensive nature? Or with the name of the largest NATO exercises since the Cold War ("Steadfast Defender" – BELTA's note)? It does not align at all.
We have been observing these so-called defensive maneuvers for a long time. Since the withdrawal of nuclear weapons from Belarus in '96. What was the outcome? NATO expansion to the East, and a training exercise in 2016 simulating a nuclear strike on Belarus. Note that this was at the initiative of the administration of the so-called Nobel Peace Prize laureate Barack Obama. 2016. Moreover, according to the exercise plan, Belarus was not even involved in the conflict.
On Security Guarantees in the Region
One can talk at length about illegal unilateral coercive measures, military provocations at the border, information sabotage, and millions of dollars poured into preparing failed coups d'état. I won't even mention the open demonstration of readiness to involve NATO forces in this goal. Why did B-52 strategic bombers circle near the Belarusian border in August 2020? Who were they sending a signal to? Not just Belarus. It's clear who.
Against this backdrop, accusations about the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in our country, on our territory, are simply absurd. We, I repeat for the hundredth time, are not threatening anyone. We are simply learning the so-called diplomatic etiquette from those who have made the language of force a global trend.
These are the realities of today – only the possession of powerful weapons guarantees security in the region and grants the right to speak on the international stage.
On Approaches to Resolving Acute Issues
Dear colleagues!
The very fact that we have gathered at the same table indicates that we are adequately responding to and assessing the challenges of our time and are ready to confront them together. The fact that some of our partners are in turmoil, both in their public statements and in their provocative actions, is primarily their problem. I will say one thing: if there are claims, they should be voiced face-to-face, not through leaks to the media.
This is why we are meeting in this format – to discuss all acute issues and find solutions. Creating a conflict situation, thereby gifting those who are not interested in strengthening the security of the CSTO member states, can only be done by short-sighted politicians. This is irresponsible and short-sighted.
I am convinced that, despite everything, we are capable of overcoming all difficulties within our area of responsibility. And we are doing it. Perhaps not to the fullest extent, but we are doing a lot, especially recently.
We welcome the progress in resolving the conflict in the South Caucasus. We hope that the steps taken will lay the foundation for sustainable and long-term peace in this region, inhabited by peoples friendly to us – Armenians and Azerbaijanis. I emphasize: peoples friendly to us.
I have no doubt that the political wisdom of the Presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan will become (has already become) a decisive contribution to resolving the contradictions between Bishkek and Dushanbe, and will allow us to focus on ensuring the security of the CSTO's external borders on the southern flank of the organisation.
By the way, Belarus in this regard supports the proposal of Emomali Sharipovich for closer attention to our southern borders.
On Unity within the CSTO
Dear friends!
The Belarusian presidency was based on the motto "Through solidarity and cooperation – to peace and security". If we are united, our organisation will be stronger.
Following the set goals, we held a number of events in the political, military, and military-technical spheres, as well as in countering transnational challenges and security threats. I will not list them, as our Secretary General, and you yourself, have spoken about them in detail.
Dear colleagues!
We have formulated the priority areas of the presidency in such a way as to lay the foundation for the long-term development of the CSTO. But this is not enough. We need to be stronger and more cohesive. Let's be frank: we currently lack this to the maximum extent. We need to move towards this faster, so that it doesn't happen that if something flares up somewhere, then we will stir and start moving.
I appeal to the CSTO Secretary General and the future Kazakh presidency with a proposal to facilitate their further practical implementation. I am confident that this will benefit our organisation and all our countries.
Dear friends!
In conclusion, allow me to thank you and your countries for supporting Belarus's efforts during its chairmanship, and wish Kazakhstan and personally its President Kassym-Jomart Kemelievich Tokayev success in carrying out the very challenging and responsible mission of chairing the organization in 2024.
Source: belta.by