Talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin

As he met with President of Russia Vladimir Putin, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko spoke in positive terms about the joint work the governments of the two countries do to advance cooperation.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “There are practically no issues to make decisions on. The governments work well.” The head of state noted that he had had a productive meeting with Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow the day before. “You are aware that Mikhail Vladimirovich [Mishustin] and I systemically and comprehensively reviewed the entire spectrum [of matters]. Besides, I was not the initiator. Mikhail Vladimirovich [Mishustin] was. He opened his notebook and reread, reviewed all these problems and issues. We analyzed them. It was a good conversation. I even thanked him for the opportunity to have this meeting. There will be less work for us to do,” the Belarus President said. “Today we have kind of a day for summing up certain results, not for making decisions, I think.”

The meeting of the heads of state took place in the state residence Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow.

The head of state noted that he had had a productive meeting with Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow the day before. “You are aware that Mikhail Vladimirovich [Mishustin] and I systemically and comprehensively reviewed the entire spectrum [of matters]. Besides, I was not the initiator. Mikhail Vladimirovich [Mishustin] was. He opened his notebook and reread, reviewed all these problems and issues. We analyzed them. It was a good conversation. I even thanked him for the opportunity to have this meeting. There will be less work for us to do,” the Belarus President said. “Today we have kind of a day for summing up certain results, not for making decisions, I think.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that Belarus-Russia trade turnover has been on the rise this year as well. “At least 12% up. We will exceed last year’s trade turnover and considerably at that. It is a pleasure that modern electronics accounts for a lot of this trade turnover,” he remarked.

“As for current affairs, we sacredly honor all our agreements starting with agriculture, food, and fuel,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

Speaking about regular Belarusian-Russian contacts, including at the top level, Aleksandr Lukashenko explained that not only the desire of the leaders of the two countries is a factor. “Among other things the dynamics of international relations pushes us towards discussing the problems that we face. You should have no doubt that we will stand by each other, that we will cooperate and overcome all kinds of difficulties. I’ve talked about it many times during meetings with representatives of Russia’s private sector, top officials of oblasts and regions,” the Belarus President said.