"You are the greatest people". Why is Lukashenko aiming to develop relations with Syria and Lebanon
The Middle East… In this region, the interests of many states intersect. Both those who are closer and those who are far away, even across the ocean. And in the modern world, God forbid you fall into someone’s zone of interests - a mess will begin… Syria and Lebanon, for example. These are by no means poor countries, with a rich history and serious prospects. Yes, not without internal contradictions. But when someone wants to extract their benefit from this, expect war. Belarus, despite everything, no matter what events occur in the Middle East, has never severed ties with friendly states. Moreover, it has always tried to contribute to their development. Why? This is what we will talk about now. In the new episode of the Belta YouTube project "In Fact: Decisions of the First," we will discuss what benefit Belarus seeks in Syria and Lebanon, and whether it is really about benefit, with what message from Lukashenko the Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxim Ryzhankov went there, and why, according to the President of Belarus, these states deserve a great future.
What Belarus expects from Syria and Lebanon
Belarus indeed has many friends in the Middle East. Objectively, some of them are richer, some are poorer. However, as practice has shown, the Belarusian leadership does not think in such categories and does not divide countries into rich and not so rich. Yes, with some we are more actively developing investment cooperation, while with others we come with our goods and technologies. But with whom Alexander Lukashenko conducts negotiations, he always emphasizes: there are no closed topics.
Belarus adhered to the same principles in building relations with Syria and Lebanon. No political conjuncture and interference in internal affairs. Only an equal and mutually beneficial dialogue.
"The potential that we have developed over all the years of our diplomatic presence in the Middle East region and in relations with Syria and Lebanon allows us at this stage - in many respects quite pivotal in the lives of both countries - to maintain our strong, stable positions both in bilateral relations and regarding our stance on the development of the situation in the region as a whole. We are here exclusively with the desire for equal and fruitful cooperation in all absolutely areas of our interaction, both on a bilateral basis and on the international stage," said the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Belarus to Syria and concurrently to Lebanon and Jordan, Yuri Sluka.
When did Belarus start developing relations with Lebanon
Let's turn to history. And let's start with Lebanon, which at one time was the financial and banking capital of the Middle East, for which it received the unofficial title of "Middle Eastern Switzerland."
Belarus and Lebanon established diplomatic relations in the spring of 1996 and, without rushing but also not putting things off, began to lay the groundwork for future cooperation. In 1997-1998, the countries exchanged visits at the level of foreign ministers, and at the dawn of the new millennium, negotiations took place between the heads of government. In July 2004, the President of Lebanon visited Belarus. Even then, the words of Alexander Lukashenko ran like a red thread through this visit: there are no closed topics.
By the way, by that time, about five hundred Lebanese specialists had received education in Belarus. At that time, about 400 Lebanese were studying at Belarusian universities. And this was probably the highest indicator among all foreign countries. Even now, more than 600 students from Lebanon study in Belarus every year, and most of them return home to improve the socio-economic infrastructure of their country.
"We have just agreed with the President that the basis of our cooperation will consist of civilian goods. We must significantly increase the trade turnover between the two states. But we also noted that there are no closed zones in the relations between our states, no closed topics. And if the Lebanese leadership is interested in issues of military-technical cooperation, cooperation in the field of high technologies, we will be more than happy to support these directions as well. As for the issues of the Middle East, we have virtually no disagreements in assessments and views on the problems of Middle Eastern settlement. Without the participation of the United Nations, and active participation at that, achieving peace in the Middle East will be problematic," - summarized the results of the first negotiations with his colleague Alexander Lukashenko.
What was memorable about Lukashenko's visit to Lebanon
Less than a year later, in February 2005, the head of state visited Lebanon on a reciprocal visit. The negotiations in Beirut continued the dialogue that had begun in the Belarusian capital. At the airport, Alexander Lukashenko was personally greeted by the President of Lebanon. In Beirut, the parties agreed on further steps to develop cooperation in priority areas: industry, financial interbank interaction, investments, science, education, culture.
The Lebanese side, as reported by the press service of the Belarusian leader, expressed interest in cooperation in the transport sector, in the field of electrical engineering and machine tool construction, and in the purchase of Belarusian agricultural machinery.
"You always say that you have a small country and a small population, a small nation. I must say that you are the greatest nation, for you alone, independently defended your sovereignty and independence, and not only defended them, you liberated your land, but liberated your land so that it remained within the ancient borders of your state. I believe that this is the greatest greatness of any nation. And for this very reason, you deserve not just respect. You deserve a great future," said Alexander Lukashenko to journalists in Beirut.
According to him, Belarus and Lebanon have found many common interests, and in general, our country has strong positions in the Arab world, support is felt. "And the Arab world has never let us down. Therefore, we come here with great pleasure, feeling this support, and we always come not in vain. We have no closed topics - from Lebanon, Syria, and so on," the President emphasized.
At that time, Lebanon was ready to become a gateway for Belarus to the Middle Eastern market. Unfortunately, yet another war and the subsequent internal political crisis reduced the intensity of Belarusian-Lebanese contacts. Most agreements were frozen indefinitely. Even now, the situation in the Middle East is far from ideal, but the Belarusian side continued and continues the dialogue with Lebanon.
What did Ryzhankov discuss with the leadership of Lebanon
In February 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarusvisited on a visit to Lebanon. The Belarusian delegation included, among others, businessmen who are ready or already working with this country. Through Lebanon, they are also developing cooperation with other states.
Maxim Ryzhankov conveyed a message from the head of the Belarusian state to the President of Lebanon. Alexander Lukashenko congratulated his Lebanese counterpart on his appointment to this position andsuggested to visit on a visit to Belarus. And this invitation was accepted. In support of its intentions, Belarus transferred 100 tons of dry milk and 10 ambulances to Lebanon.
"Lebanon is a long-term, good partner for us. And, of course, in these conditions, we cannot abandon the relationship and wait for everything to normalize here to an ideal state. We see our mission of friendship with Lebanon as helping precisely today, when our support is most in demand," -declared in an interview with journalists Maxim Ryzhankov.
Belarus is ready to supply food to Lebanon, assist in the restoration of the agricultural sector and the destroyed infrastructure. Of course, it is impossible to implement all of this at once. Moreover, Lebanon now needs to focus on its domestic political agenda and maintaining interfaith balance. But the fact that our countries are having an open dialogue, especially at the highest level, is a very good signal and an example for everyone else.
Why did the head of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs fly to Syria
Earlier, the head of the Belarusian foreign affairs agencyvisited on a visit to Syria. Maxim Ryzhankov arrived in Damascus at the invitation of the Syrian side. Just a week before his visit, Alexander Lukashenko mentioned at one of the meetings that Syria is offering cooperation. "They are asking for our officials to come and negotiate, to determine things," - the head of state did not hide.
Maxim Ryzhankov discussed with the leadership of Syria "various areas of cooperation aimed at facilitating the swift recovery of Syria." The minister presented the Syrian leader with certificates for 50 MAZ buses, donated to the Syrian people by the President and the people of Belarus. They will be produced and sent to Damascus in the coming months.
At that meeting, Maxim Ryzhankov noted that Minsk is ready to continue humanitarian programs for the rehabilitation of Syrian children, implemented under the patronage of the head of the Belarusian state and especially bringing both peoples closer together in recent years. In due time, Alexander Lukashenko, proposing to develop a program for the recreation, rehabilitation, and education of children from Syria, explained that he is guided by a common human truth: if you respond to someone else's grief, help will come to you as well. Well, and children are sacred.
According to Syrian media, the head of the foreign affairs agency held another interesting meeting in Damascus - with the leadership of the General Intelligence Service. Intelligence, like diplomacy, loves silence. Therefore, we can only speculate about what topics were discussed at this meeting and what agreements were reached. We can, but we won't.
What brings Belarus and Syria closer together
Belarus has been providing humanitarian aid to Syria since 2015. Over this time, four batches of cargo have been transferred to the Syrian side, including baby food, food products, medicines, medical equipment, blankets, children's clothing and footwear, as well as MAZ equipment. From 2017 to 2024, the "Zubrenok" camp has hosted more than 1,300 children from Syria.
The country's leadership surely remembers how two years ago Alexander Lukashenko ordered to send humanitarian aid to the earthquake-affected Syria and to deploy military medics there to assist the population.
"Belarusians have never been on the sidelines of the war in Syria. We have provided and continue to provide humanitarian support to the Syrian people, especially children, and a program for the rehabilitation of Syrian children in Belarus has been developed. We will continue to act in this direction," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko in November 2017 during a meeting with the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Will Belarus and Syria be able to reset their relations
Recently, trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and Syria has developed against a backdrop of challenging conditions. Destruction of transport and social infrastructure, acute shortage of financial resources for the Syrian government, and a decrease in the purchasing power of the population... In 2021, the mutual trade turnover between the countries amounted to $8.2 million, while in the best years it exceeded $86 million. Belarus exported to Syria specific goods, dry milk, whey, pharmaceuticals, tractors, and semi-trailers, while importing olive oil, fruits and vegetables, nuts, and coffee.
But the very fact of Maxim Ryzhankov's recent visit to Syria indicates that Damascus is ready to develop relations with Minsk. And again - no political conjuncture, just an equal and mutually beneficial dialogue. As stated, the Syrian side intends to reform the transport sector, which means that Belarusian equipment may be in demand. Therefore, the parties discussed the possibility of organizing the assembly of buses, agricultural machinery, as well as the implementation of other projects.
"All of this was prepared very quickly and efficiently. And the very fact that we were accepted, and accepted very well and at the highest level (in both cases, meetings were held with heads of state, which were very positive and constructive, and most importantly - open), this is a good sign, - said the head of the Belarusian diplomatic mission. - They know us here, they remember us and, it turns out, they are waiting for us. This is another good signal to continue working and to increase the pace of our presence. We have not shown ourselves here in any unconstructive or negative way. All our actions have always been directed exclusively in a positive direction. I remind you, for example, of the fact that our medics participated in the UN mission in southern Lebanon. Our military doctors were known not only on the territory of military units, they treated local residents in their free time."
The Director of the Center for International Studies of the Faculty of International Relations of BSU Nikita Belyanchenko believes that much will depend on the internal and foreign policy course chosen by the current government of Syria.
"Are they able to find a compromise with other countries and are they able to find a compromise in the region, - he said. - We strive to develop relations with all countries and regions. We are ready to provide assistance in establishing peace in the region. I am not sure that we should take into account these conflicts, which have a chaotic order, and abandon this cooperation. On the contrary, we should support the political situation in these countries in every possible way. Our position, if we support both Syria and Lebanon, is further echoed in other countries of the Middle East: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman."
In the Middle East region, things are not easy. But Belarus intends to work there, regardless of any difficulties - they will eventually come to an end. And it is necessary to make a statement about oneself already now, especially when there is a pressing need for your support.
If we wait for perfect conditions to enter these markets, no one will be waiting for us there. No one will even know about us. We will simply be late. Therefore, we are already there, and we must not leave under any circumstances, reminding everyone of ourselves in every available way. For Belarusians, this is creation and exclusively constructive interaction.