President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, after speaking at a pro-government rally in Grodno, approached RT journalists with a smile and gave a short interview.
The Russian correspondent asked the Belarusian leader why he did not come out and speak for so long.
Lukashenko noted that he knew that large rallies would be gathered in his support, but at that acute period he was afraid of clashes with participants in opposition events.
“They were preparing for this, if Lukashenka’s members come out, we will kill them. I was afraid that these people would suffer,” Lukashenka said.
He also said that he was grateful to his friend, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who also asked him: “Listen, are you silent?”
“I say:“ You will hear soon. ”Well, you have heard,” Lukashenka said.