Dmitry Zhuk: in negotiations with the United States, we defend the interests of Belarus

Another round of Belarusian-American talks took place in Minsk on September 15. Head of State Alexander Lukashenko at the Independence Palace welcomed representatives of the team of US President Donald Trump led by US Special Envoy for Belarus John Cole. About the principles of foreign policy of our country and what show such honest and open negotiations, on the air of the talk show “Budni” on “SBTV” and “Alfa Radio” told the Minister of information of Belarus Dmitry Zhuk.

Negotiations with the Americans always arouse interest both in the Belarusian society and outside our country, including those who look at it with hostility

- Yesterday I carefully read the comments and reviews of our fugitives, our neighbors from the Russian Federation, analysts, well-known political scientists and journalists. I caught myself thinking that they came from some kind of conspiracy, aspirations, desires, hopes. Everyone has their own vector. Behind all this noise of opinions, it was impossible to see the most important thing: that our President Alexander Lukashenko proceeds from simple things that are absolutely understandable for us, Belarusians. He defends the interests of the Belarusian people and our state, and proceeds from these interests in the negotiating position. When this is put into a paradigm, the whole pyramid is very logically arranged and then everything is clear.

Dmitry Zhuk reminded about the issue of $43-44 million that was frozen by the American bank.

- We see that our American partners in the negotiation process hear and react to the President’s words. This is such a good indicator of the desire to move towards each other, he stressed. Most importantly, in this negotiation process, we proceed from those points where our movement can be mutually beneficial. Of course, there are many issues on which we do not agree on some ideological and political views. But cooperation is always built on common points. And that's what the whole conversation is all about. Even if there are contradictions, you still need to talk.

During the conversation with the American delegation, the President of Belarus focused on the strict implementation of the agreements. In this regard, the host of “Budney” Vadim Shepet asked the guest of the studio why the Belarusian head of state considers this factor key.

- This is a very important message to society. We know that if we promise, we will do it. Not always partners in the negotiation process, economic relations firmly adhere to what has been agreed, said Dmitry Zhuk. The President, fully understanding what he is talking about in detail, drew the attention of the American side to this aspect. This may apply to the same money that is “frozen”, somewhere “stuck”, as well as other issues. But what I would draw the attention of our listeners and viewers is that our Prime Minister [Alexander Turchin] took part in this meeting. And that's a very important aspect. We can clearly understand that at this stage we are talking about real economic projects and real economic steps. This is already the result.

Among the discussed issues of bilateral relations were the so-called political prisoners. Our fugitives are actively spreading a brazen fake that two or three new ones are supposedly sent to the place of one released person. The President of Belarus publicly dispelled the fake and made it very clear that this is not true. Answering the question of why it is important in the public field to respond to such stuffing, Dmitry Zhuk said:

- We know that Americans are pragmatic. They, like no one else on this planet, can count money. Often these economic, property, financial, whatever interests are above other interests. So, covering up their steps, not always taken by the international community, they camouflage it under the protection of freedom of speech, the spread of democracy and so on. This is the same element that the American side can use, and our runaway opposition is using it to the fullest. All those in custody have been sentenced to criminal charges. We do not have a single political article in the Criminal Code.

The talk show “Budney” is released on weekdays on the morning air of “Alfa Radio”. Each issue discusses the most relevant topics from the life of the country and the world. Political scientists, scientists, public figures and journalists of leading media participate in the discussions. See the full version of the program on the VIDEOBEL.BY website and on the SBTV YouTube channel.