Belarus’ brand on the world stage is the security created within the country – as noted by the State Secretary of the Security Council, Aleksandr Volfovich, in his talk with the First News channel, sb.by reports



“Security issues dominated the Address of the President to the Belarusian People and Parliament, and that was probably heard not only by people in uniform, but by virtually everyone at the meeting. The state cannot exist, develop and build its future without security. The economy, simply speaking, is the development of new industries, the production of material goods, the creation of jobs for our citizens, but how can all this develop if security is not ensured? I am not even talking about external security, but without internal security. The brand of our state, I would say, on the global stage is the security that has been created within the republic,” Mr. Volfovich emphasised.


The State Secretary added that the country cannot exist by focusing exclusively on internal affairs. “Of great significance is the situation developing around the state, as well as the challenges in the field of security, the risks and, above all, the threats that are being created today along the external perimeter. The current situation unfolding around our country is indeed very explosive. As some have noted, it is probably more dangerous than it was during the Cold War years. True, the affairs developing in the West today greatly affect the security and functioning of any state, not only Belarus,” he noted.


According to Mr. Volfovich, the actions of Western politicians are alarming. “Firstly, they are following the instructions of the Americans to raise the military budget to 5 percent of GDP, which is a huge sum. Secondly, a new programme has been adopted: Readiness 2030. It envisages additional funds, 800bn Euros, for the military infrastructure development by the end of 2030, the supply of new types of weapons and military equipment. Currently, Europe spends about 700bn Euros on military needs. All of this is being invested not in agriculture, industrial development or improving social welfare for people, but in acceleration of the military complex. The latter has already been given so great momentum that it is probably unlikely to stop in the next decade. I mean the complex that is operating with view on war. Of course, we see this and take into account,” he stressed.


The State Secretary recalled that the Security Council meeting had recently taken place, and its participants approved Belarus’ defence plan until 2030, “The documents of this plan take into account all the risks, challenges, and threats in the field of security, identify ways and forms, so to speak, for their neutralisation both within the country and for repelling aggression, preventing any initial border conflict, and in case of an escalation of the conflict in its scales – for repelling aggression against our country. This document is structured in accordance with our National Security Concept, and is defensive in nature. The President has repeatedly said that Belarus does not threaten anyone and is not going to threaten anyone, but if a conflict breaks out, we will extinguish it, protect our country, our national interests, and our people with what we have.”


Mr. Volfovich stressed that the modern military-industrial complex of Belarus provides for the structures of the national security system. “We have modern airplanes, helicopters, air defence and missile systems. We have established the production of modern small arms, ammunition and other weapons that are necessary to protect our country,” he said.


Taking into account the risks and challenges, Belarus builds its policy together with its strategic partners. “No state in the world today can stand alone against the existing risks, challenges, and threats. Therefore, we have strategic allies and partners, such as Russia and China, who support us and with whom we are building a shield for our country. With this in view, we have created a regional grouping of troops together with Russia. We also have certain plans that, hopefully, will never come in handy. We are primarily building a line of defence aimed at strategic deterrence. Therefore, the President noted in his speech that we had to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of our country. The President also informed that the new Oreshnik missile system had also been deployed,” the State Secretary added.


Speaking about the programme of socio-economic development of Belarus for 2026-2030 adopted at the Belarusian People’s Congress, Mr. Volfovich emphasised that it cannot be divorced from the realities of life, “Therefore, there is a new direction in this programme: strengthening Belarus’ defence capability and developing its military-industrial complex. It primarily envisages an increase in the share of modern domestic weapons and military equipment that will be included in the state defence order (the figure is set at at least 50 percent – which is pretty high, but absolutely feasible). Our military-industrial complex is already producing the types of weapons that are in service and that the republic is exporting. They meet all modern requirements. Therefore, 50 percent is a feasible figure. The second direction is the growth of investments in the production of weapons, military and special equipment. The figure is set at 130 percent. It is high, but calculated and based on our capabilities, not to the detriment of the economy, which is aimed at peaceful labour and our development.”


Mr. Volfovich recalled that Belarus has always pursued a peaceful policy. “Look at what began in Ukraine in 2014. Our President became the initiator of efforts to resolve the conflict that was flaring up. All issues should be settled through negotiations and consensus. We tell our Western neighbours the same: let’s build a constructive dialogue. The accusations that we pose some kind of threat are absolutely unfounded. The President said that the people of Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland would draw their own conclusions sooner or later. They see what is happening on our territory today. Belarus has extended the visa-free entry regime for citizens of 38 countries. People from Poland and the Baltic States are happy to visit us. They enjoy our health resorts, though suffering when passing through the border checkpoints because of their politicians,” the State Secretary of the Security Council summed up.