Belarus

“Russia has always been a reliable gas supplier to consumers around the world, in Europe and in Asia, and always has fully met all its obligations.“

"We paid particular attention to developments on the European continent, including the deplorable situation in relations between Russia and the European Union. Contacts with Brussels have been reduced to a minimum as a result of the EU’s policy aimed at containing Russia."

“Starting from Belavia, when those crazy people [abroad] started to stifle our company. Now it is clear why.”

“As it has been reported, the coaching staff of the national athletics team decided to withdraw Krystsina Tsimanouskaya from the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in connection with her emotional and psychological state.”

“Accusing Belarus of organizing migrant smuggling into Lithuania is a vivid example of political slander and unfounded allegations.”

“[N]one of the sanctions have achieved their political goals. But those sanctions have been hiding other things - issues related to the division of markets and the pushing out of competitors. We can see the same processes against Belarus today.”

“The pilot-in-command however decided to make a turn and head to Minsk. No one forced him to do this, no one gave him such a command. … He could have decided to keep going and left the Belarusian airspace within two minutes.”

“… Minsk was asked to accept the plane. The situation was immediately reported to the President. Lukashenka gave an unconditional command: turn the plane around and take it. In this situation, the most important thing is the safety and lives of people!”

"Recently, the ‘Chernobyl’ series filmed by HBO has had a special impact on minds in different countries, including Russia. … [T]his is one of the shots in a hybrid war.”

“I mean the recently known facts of a direct attempt to organize a coup d'etat in Belarus and the assassination of the President of this country. At the same time, it is characteristic that even such flagrant actions are not condemned by the so-called collective West.”

“Regardless of whatever rhetoric is used to obscure these sanctions, the step is actually aimed at worsening the material well-being of Belarusian citizens and reducing the economic potential of our country – one of the pillars of Belarus' independence.”

“[They] decided to carry out a blitzkrieg in August, instantly overthrow the government, or at least show that the government has fallen, and bring in NATO troops.”