New details of Lukashenko's interview with Russia Today and expert comments on key issues

The interview of the Belarusian leader to the international news agency Russia Today caused a wide public response. New details of his conversation with Dmitry Kiselev, a well-known Russian journalist and TV anchor and the head of the information agency, appear in the news headlines. The coverage of the topics is very extensive. They include the most important and sometimes acute issues not only on the Belarusian-Russian and intra-Belarusian agenda, but also high-profile international problems, for example, reaction to NATO maneuvers, the situation on the border with Poland, Belarus' answers to threats from its western neighbor, the energy issue and many other issues. The statements of our President are commented by political scientists, experts and diplomats.

The acute problem on the border with Poland is one of the key topics. The Poles not only act inhumanely with people staying on the border in the freezing weather, but also openly threaten our country. Belarus's response is not long in coming. Alexander Lukashenko confirmed his readiness to stop the transit of energy carriers if Poland closes the border. The President noted that European goods would not be able to get to Russia and further through Ukraine.

The Kremlin is sympathetic to such a principled position of Minsk, though they hope it won't come to a transit halt.

As to the militarization of the region and the possibility of placing nuclear weapons on NATO bases and other threats from Poland, Alexander Lukashenko did not rule out that Russian nuclear weapons could appear in our territory. The infrastructure for this is preserved. Belarus needs S-400 or S-500 for an effective defense against missile attacks.

The theme of Ukraine, with which we have always been for dialogue and trade cooperation, was mentioned in the interview. Following the words about the Crimea and the possible visit of the Belarusian President to the peninsula (which is also actively discussed by bloggers, political analysts and experts) a new quote appeared today. Alexander Lukashenko declared a clear position of Belarus on Ukraine, including whose side we are going to take in case of Ukraine's aggressive attacks on Russia.

Minsk's position on the difficult relations between Moscow and Kiev has always been very balanced. But if two brothers are quarreling, the third one cannot stand idly by. All the efforts of Belarus were aimed at preventing the aggravation in the region.