Presidents of Belarus and Russia made decisions on strategic matters

Strengthening of Belarusian-Russian relations is a natural response to the changing situation in the world. This was stated by the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, during the talks with the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, in Minsk on December 19th.

Photo by BELTA

Aleksandr Lukashenko personally met the distinguished Russian guest at the National Airport Minsk. The Heads of States went together to the Palace of Independence in one Aurus car.
Welcoming Vladimir Putin and the Russian delegation, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed, “You haven’t been here for quite a long time due to certain circumstances. You are always welcome here. A break in visits to Minsk has not prevented us from staying in constant contact. Even our so-called Western partners were very concerned about our frequent meetings. We met regularly both in the Russian Federation and at international venues.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the governments of the two countries have also been actively working together, and many meetings take place at the regional and business level. Stable growth in trade and the resolution of many issues that used to hinder co-operation testify to the fact.
According to him, the momentous decisions on closer integration between Belarus and Russia once again demonstrate to the entire world that only together it is possible to overcome pandemics, crises, or sanctions. 

“Vladimir Vladimirovich and I often say that Russia and Belarus are open to dialogue with other states, including European ones. I hope that they will soon heed the voice of reason, and we will engage in a constructive discussion of both common security and also the future world order. Defending democracy and progress with the use of restrictions and military force against our states no longer impresses even local voters [in Western countries] who have fully experienced the shortcomings of such a policy,” noted Aleksandr Lukashenko.

According to the Head of the Belarusian State, thanks to joint steps the sides have managed to overcome possible negative effects of the sanctions-fuelled pressure as a whole.
“Belarusian and Russian specialists have worked hard on the Union State programms, which Vladimir Vladimirovich and I approved back in the day. Certain progress has been achieved virtually in all areas. But not everything is working out for now, and it slows down our development. You know, the governments say they have exhausted negotiation options on a number of sensitive topics. The governments believe that it is impossible to come to an agreement on individual matters without you, Vladimir Vladimirovich, and I. It is the reason for our conference today,” stated the President of Belarus.
Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested doing productive work on the strategic areas able to determine the future of Belarus and Russia.
According to the President of Russia, last year the countries made a very good breakthrough in the development of trade and economic ties: the trade rose by a third and reached $38.5 billion. Therefore, there is reason to believe that this year we will hit a new record trade of $40 billion.
Vladimir Putin noted, “I would like to note what everyone is already well aware of. But still, it should be emphasised that Belarus is not only our good neighbour, with whom we have been working, taking each other’s interests into account, in previous decades, but is, of course, our ally in the truest sense of the word.”
The President of Russia added that Belarus and Russia are working hard virtually in all areas. He also remarked the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, emphasising that the Russian side is ready not only to develop this project on a full scale, but also to promote the creation of a nuclear industry in Belarus.

During their communication with journalists, the Presidents of Belarus and Russia summed up the results of the talks, which were held first  in expanded and then in face-to-face format.

Emphasis was placed on strategic matters, primarily in economy. Traditionally, a lot of attention was paid to the foreign policy agenda. 

“The situation in the world is changing rapidly. In terms of depth and scale, these changes are truly fateful, without any exaggeration. In fact, the future of the Belarusian and Russian peoples is being determined now,” said the President of Belarus.

Speaking about Western sanctions, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted, “Now it is obvious to everyone that such restrictions have boomeranged. It is not those who invent the sanctions that suffer, but ordinary people and business. This is on the conscience of those who unleashed an economic war against our countries and then a proxy war with Russia by the hands of Ukrainians.”
The Head of the Belarusian State is convinced that the year 2022 gives us grounds to state with cautious optimism that Belarus and Russia are coping with the economic challenges and are doing it quite well, “Unexpectedly for ourselves, we are revealing our huge potential, which at other times we simply would not see or would not believe in it. We need to be fast however in making and implementing decisions. Time is more important than money today.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko urged to concentrate joint efforts on transforming the economies of Belarus and Russia towards higher knowledge intensity, innovativeness, digitalisation and technological sovereignty, “When Western partners left, we happened to be in demand for huge Russia. We go there to replace those, who have left. We will replace them if given a bit of time. Together with Russian scientists and engineers we will create products that the world has never seen.”
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, Belarus is happy with the results of the discussion of a common gas market with Russia and the price for energy over the next three years. At the same time, the leaders of the two countries did not disclose the details of the agreements reached, saying that the corresponding decisions would be formalised by the governments of the two countries in the near future.
The President of Belarus said that, taking into account the situation evolving along the border perimeter, they discussed some important details of co-operation in the sphere of military security, “I thank you, Vladimir Vladimirovich for our finding mutual understanding and support on all the matters and for our making the necessary decisions. I offer special thanks not only from me and from the military for fulfilling your promise. Today we’ve commissioned an S-400 air defence missile complex that you have handed over to Belarus. And most importantly the Iskander complex, which you’ve also handed over to us after promising it half a year ago.”
Another important fact voiced by the Presidents is that Belarus and Russia will train the crews of combat aircraft of the Belarusian army, which have already been converted for the possible use of special air-launched ammunition.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also confirmed, “I have to tell you that we’ve prepared the aircraft. It turned out we’ve had such aircraft since the Soviet times. We are now working with Russians to train the crews able to fly these aircraft that carry special ammunition.”

Addressing his Russian counterpart, the President of Belarus noted, “It is not a threat for someone. I told you several times that we are greatly concerned about tensions along the border perimeter of the Union State. Primarily in the west. And we had to safeguard the Belarusian state. You made a decisive and very important step in support for Belarus.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed gratitude to Vladimir Putin for the warm, deep, energetic and constructive conversation.
During a press conference, Vladimir Putin emphasised: Russia and Belarus are the closest allies and strategic partners, co-operation between which is based on the principles of mutual respect and consideration of each other’s interests, 

“Russia has no interest in absorbing anyone. There is simply no expediency in this. Aleksandr Grigoryevich is absolutely right by saying that today’s meeting was very constructive and very substantive… It is not about absorbing anyone. It is about aligning the economic policies. This is the way it is done in many other integration associations. Everything else is nonsense. These are just the attempts of the ill-wishers to slow down our integration. They are doing it only to make sure efficient competitors, that might be dangerous for them, do not emerge in the international market.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko concurred with what the President of Russia said, and added, “These theses are coming from abroad, from Belarusian self-exiled opposition. Several thousands of them have fled there, and they need to earn money (you cannot get money for doing nothing). They do not even write these theses. These theses are fed to them.”
Vladimir Putin also drew attention to an important fact: to date, 600 out of almost 1,000 integration events scheduled for implementation by 2023 have been implemented. This is over 60 percent — very good progress, good pace. He added that in the near future an integrated system for the administration of indirect taxes and the establishment of a supranational tax committee are to be created.

Based on materials of sb.by and belta.by