Lukashenko to Pashinyan: Why Are You Silent, Are You Afraid to Criticize Putin?

The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, discussed his interactions with Armenian Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a conversation with journalists, recalling their dialogue at the meeting of CIS leaders in St. Petersburg in early December regarding the sale of weapons to Azerbaijan.

“In the presence of Putin, I said, ‘Nikol, let’s set everything straight. Who is in the first place for selling weapons to Azerbaijan? Who is it? Russia? Then why are you silent? Tell him (referring to Putin), go ahead, criticize Vladimir Vladimirovich, are you afraid? And who is in second place? Israel; third, Turkey; and fourthly, considering the 'Polonez,' Belarus. Why are you attacking Belarusians? You are attacking your own, so that others might understand something? In that case, say it, I will remain silent. This was the nature of our conversation,’” Lukashenko recounted.

Previously, Lukashenko stated that there is no need to blame him for this because he had invited both Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian sides to the tests of the 'Polonez' to ensure that it is high-precision weaponry.

“Azerbaijanis are asking us to sell, and we need to pay back the loan we took for that. So at that time I said that I would sell it to the Azerbaijanis. I offered an equivalent system to Armenians too, but they refused, saying that they have the Russian 'Iskander,' which they showcased during a parade,” Lukashenko added.