“It’s not cheap,” Lukashenko on Russia’s help against NATO
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko again demanded money from Russia for protecting the western border, which he considers as the border of the Union State, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“We once counted. I won’t name the numbers so that later I’ll be there in Russia... They always choose a word and start bombing the way they want, although I didn’t even mean it. They said that Lukashenko wants more money for the border. No more needed. For now, let them give back half of what we spend,” Lukashenko is quoted as saying by his official website.
He also again raised the question that Russia could supply Su-30SM fighters to Belarus free of charge.
“I don’t want anything for free. I want it to be a reasonable price. And if you supply our military, who will defend Russia, with weapons for free, for rent, and so on, I think people in Russia will understand this,” Lukashenko said.
Separately, he touched upon the costs of Belarus for maintaining a common air defense system with Russia.
“From the Black Sea to the Baltic, we see everything. And Russia has nothing in this direction. To recreate this, for example, if they want, near Smolensk, imagine how much money is needed to see and hear every day, not even in Belarus, but in NATO countries. Imagine the costs!” – said the Belarusian leader.
He recalled that at one time he agreed that the Belarusian air defense system should work in the interests of Russia and be joint.
“I went for it. We didn't ask them for money. But when they started counting money and sending us bills for natural gas and other raw materials, they carried out a tax maneuver and said that we were freeloaders... Good. Let's consider paying each other if they want. I think this is not our way. We are family and friends – Belarusians and Russians. Why are we doing this? We are not the initiators of this,” Lukashenko said.
Alexander Lukashenko also said that five to seven years ago Belarus presented figures for its expenses on joint projects.
“And you know, it happens like this. Nobody owes anything to anyone. And now the situation has worsened even more. You see what is happening: NATO and other troops, defense, medium- and short-range missiles, and so on. I recently outlined all this to the Russian authorities in a narrow circle and said: okay, we’ll wait, maybe we’ll be useful to you someday. It's not about the numbers. I’m not an accountant and I’m not going to calculate this, but if necessary, we’ll calculate it. It’s not cheap,” Lukashenko said.
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