Lukashenko: Sovereignty is not only about preserving the state, it is also about national ambitions

MINSK, 29 January (BelTA) – Sovereignty is not only about preserving the state, it is also about national ambitions, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Belarusian students on 29 January, BelTA has learned.

“Sovereignty is not only about preserving the state, it is also about national ambitions. This is a matter of your civil status. I will never believe that we have raised a generation of independent Belarusians who dream of foreign politicians determining their future,” the president noted.

The head of state asked the students if they understood what enormous efforts such political independence cost. “Do you know many countries in the world that are as relatively small and not rich in resources as ours that have managed to establish themselves in the international arena as self-sufficient and strong states? In other words, we have not dropped to our knees, we have not given in to anyone, therefore they are putting so much pressure on us. They have started doing the same with Russia,” he said.

The president admitted that he is curious to know what role young people want to play in strengthening the country, whether they understand how much the country needs them, how important their successes are for preserving the statehood. “I strongly believe that this land will belong to you and no one else, that wherever you are, you will proudly say: “I am Belarusian!” And the fact that you invited me to this conversation strengthens my belief in it”, Aleksandr Lukashenko added.