MINSK, January 29. /TASS/. Sovereignty is not only a matter of preservation of the state for Belarusians, but also a matter of national ambitions, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said during a meeting with students Friday.

"Sovereignty is not only a matter of preservation of the state, it’s a matter of national ambitions, and a matter of your civil status. I will never believe that we raised a generation of independent Belarusians who dream of their future being determined by foreign politicians," Lukashenko said, according to BelTA.

The president asked the students whether they realize how much effort it takes to have such political independence. "Do you know many countries, as small and not rich in resources as ours, who nevertheless managed to prove themselves on the international arena as self-sufficient and strong states?" he asked.

The head of state noted that foreign actors are not concerned about the interests of Belarusian people, seeking to solve their own problems at Belarusians’ expense instead. "Does anyone seriously believe that they, across the border, are seriously concerned about the interests of our people? They have other things to do. Resolving their own problems at Belarusians’ expense, would seem to be a good idea to them," Lukashenko concluded.

He also noted that last year, Belarusian society became the most politicized ever, adding that this is not about who was ‘agitating’ Belarusian people and where. "The question is why has a part of society, which also includes you - young Belarusians - allowed itself to be agitated? Why have we made it possible to sow discord in our mutual home - Belarus? Not only in the country, but even among families," the president pointed out.