The West is pushing Belarus to turn it into another Ukraine, but that will not happen, said Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus.

Mr Lukashenko emphasized that the goal was not to be achieved by the West and that Belarus would never be like Ukraine.

- They want Belarus to become another Ukraine, which they describe as a democratic and developed country. A clear answer was given to them two days ago. "We will never become like Ukraine, because we are Belarusians and we have our own vision for our prospects," Lukashenko said.

President of Belarus says Belarus is at the center of the global conflict between the West and Russia

He reminded that the West collectively tried to destabilize the situation in Belarus last year, during the presidential elections in that country.

"After failing, they are now trying to force the country to bow with sanctions," he said

 Belarus has said it will retaliate after the United States and its allies imposed sanctions on a dozen individuals and entities and complained that its economy was facing unprecedented external pressure.

"We have repeatedly stated that all hostile anti-Belarusian measures will be accompanied by appropriate response measures," the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The statement added that the new round of sanctions is no exception.