Strengthening Belarus–Russia co-operation, integration in the post-Soviet space and the pressing international agenda: President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko held a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
The Union State of Belarus and Russia locomotive is gaining momentum, with the leaders of the two countries playing first fiddle in this process. Mutual trade is growing confidently, co-operative ties are expanding — including in critical industrial sectors — military-technical co-operation is strengthening, and a co-ordinated foreign policy is being pursued. Another meeting between Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin is planned for the near future. The Belarusian leader announced this during his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who spent two days in Minsk on a working visit to discuss pressing issues of Belarusian–Russian interaction in the foreign policy sphere.
No secrets between us
Before beginning his conversation with the Belarusian leader, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov conveyed greetings from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Aleksandr Lukashenko, adding with a touch of humour, “It is almost unnecessary to pass them along — you speak every day.”“Well, nearly every day,” Aleksandr Lukashenko replied with a smile. “We have agreed to meet in the near future and discuss any outstanding issues that may concern us. We share the understanding that if the governments cannot resolve something, it remains under the attention of the two presidents. This is the approach we are taking.”The Head of State noted that he was very pleased to meet Sergey Lavrov, “To be honest, I was looking forward to this meeting. I would like to share with you my thoughts and impressions on the full spectrum of the international situation. Not because we are a global power like Russia or China and will be involved in solving major problems — but nevertheless, I would like to know in which direction we should move and steer our foreign policy. And you, as an experienced statesman, can offer some advice.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed his desire to discuss the situation in integration projects, including the CSTO, EAEU, CIS and SCO, and how the Russian side sees their development.
The President also highlighted the rapid pace of change on many international fronts, “The conflicts today — how they are viewed. There is plenty to discuss. It is good that you have come to us on a working visit.”
At the forefront of the Union State process
Speaking about relations with Russia in general, Aleksandr Lukashenko stated,“Despite all sorts of noise and certain outcries — both here and in your country, and especially abroad — we are following the path we set together with you. Our foreign policy agencies are at the forefront of this process.
Sergey Lavrov
Indeed, the foreign ministries of Belarus and Russia work in close co-ordination. The foreign ministers hold bilateral meetings regularly — at least twice a year — in addition to encounters at international events.
“We just saw each other in Kazan. At the CSTO meeting,” said Sergey Lavrov.
“I know that the Minister [Maxim Ryzhenkov, Head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry] calls you often. He reports to me about it. It is very good that we have such warm relations.”
Sergey Lavrov thanked Aleksandr Lukashenko for the opportunity to meet and revealed that he had already discussed various issues with Maxim Ryzhenkov the day before, “We started yesterday. We had a detailed one-on-one conversation on sensitive matters. Now I will brief you on the thoughts that have emerged. Of course, I am ready to share our assessments of recent developments — including in connection with the initiative from Britain, France and Germany. They have put forward a five-point ultimatum [referring to the five conditions presented to Russia for ending the war in Ukraine]. Ambassadors came and handed over their wishes. So there is plenty to discuss, including matters that directly concern the Union State,” Sergey Lavrov said.
‘Many plans — all being steadily implemented’
Following the lengthy conversation, Sergey Lavrov shared some details of the meeting with journalists. The Russian Foreign Minister noted that considerable time had been devoted to discussing the current situation within the Union State,“There are many plans, and they are all being steadily implemented, enabling us to achieve the goals set by presidents Putin and Lukashenko, who regularly co-ordinate their positions and outline concrete directions for further development.”The meeting also addressed upcoming Union State events scheduled for this month. Among them is the 2nd Great Heritage — Common Future international forum of the Union State to be held in Brest, dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War.
Illusory calculations with unworthy aims
The international agenda also received due attention, with the focus on the situation around the Ukraine crisis. This topic is regularly discussed by the leaders of Belarus and Russia. The Russian Foreign Minister underscored that the war, which the West unleashed and is waging through the Ukrainian regime, continues unabated and that everything must be done to ensure justice prevails, “We also discussed the role our Western ‘colleagues’ — both the United States and the European Union — are playing in addressing issues that reach far beyond the Ukraine conflict and touch upon the fundamental principles of European and global security. We voice a common position.In the current situation, Europeans are making erroneous conclusions that Russia is now losing while Ukraine is winning, and therefore they believe they can issue ultimatums in the hope that Russia will accept them.”Sergey Lavrov reminded that Russian President Vladimir Putin had already expressed his views on this matter during speeches at various events. “These calculations are, of course, illusory and pursue unworthy aims. We remain committed — and today we reaffirmed this in our conversation with Aleksandr Grigorievich Lukashenko — to the agreements reached on August 15th last year in Alaska. President Putin has stated repeatedly that he accepted President Trump’s proposal. We certainly expect that the position co-ordinated on the basis of the U.S. proposal will be implemented.”
FACT BOX
• Trade turnover between Belarus and Russia in 2025 amounted to $54.7bn, an increase of 5.6 percent compared to 2024. In January–April 2026, trade turnover reached $19.6bn, which is 18.4 percent higher than in the same period last year.• In 2025, Russia accounted for 67 percent of total foreign investment attracted to Belarus ($5.1bn out of $7.6bn). In the first quarter of 2026, this figure stood at 57.4 percent ($1.9bn out of $3.3bn).
Based on materials of sb.by and belta.by
PROTOCOL
ALEKSANDR LUKASHENKO CONGRATULATED PRESIDENT OF CHINA XI JINPING ON HIS BIRTHDAY
President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko sent birthday greetings to President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping“Modernising and prosperous China sets the highest standards of global leadership today. This is largely the result of your far-sighted leadership, consistent policy of strengthening statehood and sustainable socio-economic progress of the country. Your contribution to the expansion of international co-operation and ensuring global stability is also difficult to overestimate,” the message of greetings read.
The Head of State noted that Belarusian–Chinese relations are at an unprecedentedly high level and continue to develop steadily as an all-weather and comprehensive strategic partnership.
“I warmly recall our meaningful conversations last year. I hope our trust-based dialogue will continue, and I look forward to the upcoming meeting, which will undoubtedly give another powerful impetus to the bilateral interaction between Minsk and Beijing,” the Belarusian leader stressed.
Aleksandr Lukashenko wished Xi Jinping good health and new achievements for the benefit of the friendly Chinese people.
According to the press service of the President of Belarus
