All news

Lukashenko rules out possibility of 'Maidan' in Belarus

Maidan is the name for downtown Kiev's Independence Square, which is the symbol of Ukrainian protests
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko Maxim Guchek/BelTA/TASS
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko
© Maxim Guchek/BelTA/TASS

MINSK, January 29. /TASS/. Belarus will never see street protests similar to those in downtown Kiev last year that were dubbed ‘Maidan', Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko told journalists on Thursday.

"Belarus will never have ‘Maidan'. I’ve got enough power to prevent this fratricidal war," the Belarusian president said, adding that no one needs this except for "thugs" and the goal of the authorities is to "neutralize them."

"I will perform my mission, whatever it takes," he said. "Those who want to fight — then there is a war in Syria. Recruitments are in many places. (So they should go) there," Lukashenko said. "Calm down. Live in peace, give birth to children and raise them. We will help," he assured.

Maidan is the name for downtown Kiev's Independence Square, which is the symbol of Ukrainian protests. The unrest was sparked by a move by former leader Viktor Yanukovych to refuse to sign an Association Agreement with the European Union in late November 2013.

"Shock therapry" unacceptable for Belarus

The path of "shock therapy" and implementation of the "American economic model" is unacceptable for Belarus,  Lukashenko stressed.

"I may offer rough models, but you’ll not be able to digest them. If the American model is offered, militants will take to the streets tomorrow and they will try to stage a ‘Maidan’-like coup in our country," said the Belarusian president. As a result, Lukashenko said, "the people will remain hungry." "The shocking therapy path is unacceptable," he said.

The Belarusian president also said that the economic model implemented by Minsk "is normal and there is no need to break it." "We should withstand, realizing the reasons behind hardships, pursue our own course," he said.