Alexander Lukashenkotook his “brother” this Monday Vladimir Putin in Minsk with bread and salt as required by local custom. heads Russia Y Belarus They came together to support each other amid growing speculation that Belarus is getting more involved in the conflict with Ukraine. According to Lukashenko, “possible negative effects of sanctions were overcome thanks to joint steps”. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Sergei LavrovThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs accompanied Putin to meet with his counterparts.
Lukashenko told Putin that he had not visited Belarus for a while “due to certain circumstances” – the 2020 Belarusian pro-democracy protests and the covid-19 outbreak – but assured him that he would always be “welcome” in his country. i remembered this “A period of absence of visits in Minsk did not prevent our constant contact”. Putin positively viewed the meeting with one of the leaders still close to the Kremlin and said it was “very productive”.
Moreover This was the promise for trade between the two states since 2022 “Increased 30% (compared to 2021) and that means something, these are jobs, salaries for the population.” He added that this year could mean $40,000 million in trade, “a huge and serious volume”. He assured the media that “Russia doesn’t want to absorb anyone” Since the establishment of the State of the Nation, a supranational entity that includes Russia and Belarus, it has been predicted that the end of it will be for both states to become one no matter what.Lukashenko reiterated that he wants to be Moscow’s “ally”, not “subordinate”.
Both Slavic countries became close allies for much of their independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union. USSR and this difficult moment for Moscow is no exception. Putin was a worthy supporter of Lukashenko during the 2020 opposition protests, where the Belarusian leader referred to his Russian counterpart as his “brother”. In February of the same year Russia and Belarus held joint military exercises, and Russian troops entered Chernobyl and Kiev from this country. Beginning of the Russian offensive against Ukraine. The relevant defense ministers were also present at the meeting of the Presidents. Both Shoigu and its Belarusian counterpart Viktor Jrenin In early December, he signed an amendment protocol to the agreement on the joint provision of regional security in the military field.
neighboring countries
Sergey AleynikHe noted that in his meeting with Lavrov, the successor of the recently deceased Vladimir Makei at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, they discussed certain issues, such as “efforts to deal with Russia”. illegal sanctions Westerners”. Other important topics of the meeting were energy pricesOne of the topics of the meeting, due to the foresight of establishing a common market for natural gas between the two countries.
The deal is expected to be ratified before 1 December 2023. gas union between the two countries. Belarus and Russia, state of the nation, a supranational entity that promotes the synchronization of both countries in economic, political and commercial aspects and begins to discuss issues such as the creation of a single currency. Lukashenko defended this initiative, pointing out that it “shows the whole world that epidemics, crises or sanctions can only be overcome together”. Another purpose of this organization is to facilitate the traffic of services, goods and people between the two countries, and today citizens can move from one state to another using their national passports.