Lukashenko: Belarus ready to help Bryansk Region in every possible way

The Bryansk Region is one of the closest regions of Russia for us, and Belarus is ready to help this region in every possible way – as stated by the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, during today’s meeting with Governor of Russia’s Bryansk Region Aleksandr Bogomaz

The Head of State warmly welcomed the guest and recalled his brief conversation with Aleksandr Bogomaz during the Kupala Night Festival in July 2023. Today the two sides have an opportunity to discuss the extensive agenda in more detail. At the same time, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted with humour, “It took you a long time to come to us... But it’s good that you visit Gomel more often, and the Governor [Chairman of the Gomel Regional Executive Committee Ivan Krupko] also visits Bryansk often. Frankly speaking, I asked Ivan Krupko to liaise more closely with the Bryansk Region. Our people, one might say, are the same as those in the Gomel Region. I’m informed that you have established good contacts. I appreciate this and will support it in every possible way.”

Drawing attention to the busy programme of the Bryansk delegation’s visit, the President underlined, “We have no secrets from you. You’re welcome to see everything you want and even review critically (you are the kind of person who can say directly); if you don’t like something, you delicately tell us, and we will improve.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that the Bryansk Region – together with the Smolensk and Pskov regions – are the closest regions of Russia to Belarus. The President recalled that in the turbulent times of the 1990s – when it was difficult with equipment in the Bryansk, Smolensk, and neighbouring Ukrainian regions – he gave the instruction to help neighbours with harvesting, “Since Soviet times, we have established the warmest, friendly, kind, and fraternal relations between our peoples. Thank God that we did not draw a border to pass through, creating inconvenience for our people, as happened with Poland, the Baltic States, and even worse with Ukraine.”

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the long-standing historical and human ties between Belarus and the Bryansk Region are very strong and multifaceted, “All this fully applies to our other closest neighbour: the Chernigov Region of Ukraine. The spirit of good neighbourliness, friendship and co-operation has always reigned on the border of the three countries. Now it’s the other way around, to our deep regret. In this situation, Belarusians stand in solidarity with you, empathising and being ready to help in any way we can."