Lukashenka praised “clever member of fifth column”

There are no plans to free political prisoners. Europe and “clever members of the fifth column” are ready for a dialogue.

“I can definitely say: the Europeans and clever members of our fifth column have seen themselves that the regime of sanctions and ultimatums proved to be not only counter-productive but also harmful for the European Union,” Interfax news agency quotes Lukashenka as saying to journalists on Friday.

“This opinion prevails in Europe. I know it for sure,” the dictator said.

According to him, the matter is “how to break the deadlock the European and we all have trapped in not due our fault.” “They begin to say about political prisoners. I repeat again: We don't convict people for politics, we don't have political articles. It is a criminal affair,” Lukashenka stressed. “I already said how to solve the situation. I am not going to step back. Those who wanted to be released were released. Those who want to be in prison and leave it as a hero, let them serve their terms,” the so-called president said.

“But it is not the matter. The matter is our policy. No one wants Belarus to be independent. But it is already so. We will not retreat,” Lukashenka stressed.

According to him, the West doesn't like “our political model”. “You understand why: tough power and strong power vertical do not allow destabilising the situation,” Lukashenka said.

He said: “Perhaps we will come to homosexualism and new political models in future.” “But now we think we need this order in our country,” the ruler said.

Lukashenka noted: “Who needs a competitor in the centre of Europe?” “They want it like in Greece: All bent down and folded down their wings,” Lukashenka added.

He said the process with Europeans was under way. “We said to them directly: our policy is absolutely transparent. We don't want to quarrel with Europe, we want to have normal relations with European states. We are civilised people, like they are, and maybe we are a bit better in some ways. We will talk if you want, if not – we will wait.”

“Need some twenty more combat planes”

The head of state said the Belarusian armed forces needed modern aircrafts and mentioned arrangements on the supplies of Russian fighter jets.

“I need some twenty planes, Russian Su-27, MIG-29 or more modern jets, to secure the safety of our state borders. As the Commander-in-Chief, I need some twenty more modern planes,”  Lukashenka told journalists on Friday.

The dictator comments on Russian minister of defence Sergei Shoigu's statement that Russia would open its air base in Belarus in 2015. “As for the air base, maybe it sounded like a base. But we mean supplies to our armed forces. The form will be discussed later. It is being discussed whether it will be a base or supplies of Russian fighter jets to already existing military units,” the head of state said.

Lukashenka also noted the issue of upgrade services for Russian aircraft in Baranavichy was discussed during a meeting with Shoigu. “I said we would upgrade your planes if you want,” he added.

Lukashenka commented on the recently emerged opinions that agreements on military cooperation with Russia threatened Belarus's independence. “Even the people saying we are losing our sovereignty don't believe their own words. You know me and you understand that it won't happen. I am not the president who gives away the things he has, let alone the most precious thing – sovereignty. This is my constitutional duty to protect the sovereignty and independence of our state,” Lukashenka stressed.

He called the negative comments on agreements with Russia a “political struggle”. “Those struggling against Lukashenka try to discredit him. In this particular case they accuse Lukashenka of giving away sovereignty and independence. I don't worry about it,” he noted.

“What sovereignty they are speaking about? It is protection of the sovereignty and independence of our country. The people lamenting and shouting about losing the sovereignty... If I had invited NATO bases, they would be silent,” the dictator said,” the dictator said.