Belarus is ready for a "grand agreement" with the United States (US), but it must be prepared in a way that reflects the interests of both countries, President Alexander Lukashenko said.
In an interview with RT, which will be published tomorrow, he said that he knows that the West would like to oust him from power and that he is not their "favorite son", but that he is still negotiating with the US because it is in Belarus' economic interest.
Minsk and Washington have held several rounds of talks this year, discussing what US President Donald Trump calls a "grand deal" aimed at normalizing relations between the two countries.
The focus was on the release of prisoners, the lifting of sanctions and other economic issues. In March, Lukashenko pardoned 123 people convicted of "espionage, terrorist and extremist activities" as part of that process.
"They would gladly chew me up and spit me out. I understand that very well, but even in such a situation, not because I am Lukashenko, but because I am the president of this country and the Belarusian people, I am forced to act in accordance with the interests of the people, not my personal interests," he said.
He added that he is conducting a dialogue with the Americans, but not against Russia or China.
Lukashenko suggested that Trump could use Minsk to establish relations with Russia.
He pointed out that Washington currently has a favorable opportunity to reach an agreement with Moscow, especially during the reign of Vladimir Putin.
"But you must clearly understand: if you promise, you must fulfill," he said.
He called the US a dictatorship "willing to bomb, crush and destroy without regard for human rights, in order to rob other countries of their natural resources."
"If you care about human rights, then let people exercise their basic right - the right to life," the Belarusian leader said.
He stated that Washington pursues its main interests – "control over oil and gas, by any means necessary."
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