Meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko and President of Russia Vladimir Putin had a meeting in Beijing.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I am glad to meet with you. To discuss some matters within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization [an SCO summit took place in the Chinese city of Tianjin on 31 August – 1 September]. I always admit it and stress that thanks to you and to the People’s Republic of China we, the only European country, are part of this family. It is very important for us. We had an opportunity to talk to all the Presidents. Even to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We hadn’t met for a long time. We exchanged some things and had a talk. It is also very important.”

The President also emphasized the importance of relations with Russia for Belarus: “You have to understand that no one can replace Russia for us. This is why it is very important that we are meeting today.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko told Vladimir Putin: “I know that you’ve backed China’s initiative on global governance.”

The Russian leader confirmed he had done it.

“It is a good one. The key thing is equality. As always justice,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

The Belarus President said that the initiative had been mentioned during his meeting with Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing: “The only thing is that I remarked at the end that the key thing is that China should not abandon this initiative, that it should be done. Otherwise, you know, they will grow big and will start suffering from globalism.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Cai Qi had responded by saying: “No. This is the fourth initiative of ours. We will honor it religiously.”

The head of state mentioned the parade in Beijing that will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Victory over Japanese militarism and an anniversary of the end of World War Two. “As for the parade, they came to Moscow. They celebrated our Victory with us [when China President Xi Jinping attended an army parade in Moscow on 9 May 2025]. Certainly, however complicated it may be we should be here. And I am grateful for getting invited to this parade. After all, over 30 heads of state alone will attend the parade,” he said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “To be frank, it will be hot, Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin]. About 35-40C. It will be hot even for you. I am already thinking about how we are going to endure standing in the sun. But they say that conditions will be provided.”

Speaking about bilateral relations, Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that nevertheless, there are not many problems in Belarusian-Russian bilateral relations: “It is surprising. I’ve reviewed it the day before. We have fewer issues (almost none) than in relations with China. Although China has… For instance, we’ve identified three problems today. I’ll tell you later. We are ready to advance in this direction.”

The head of state spoke in positive terms about the meeting of President of Russia Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska. “I congratulate you. Together with Donald Trump you’ve held a good meeting in Alaska. We applauded it hard. From the two sides (one shouldn’t say that someone won and someone lost) the two of you did a very good job. I looked up Ukraine’s response. Nothing to say. Only those to the west of us keep shouting it was bad. Well, it is always bad for them. I think they will wise up and will join the initiatives you have sketched out together with the U.S. President,” he said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that Belarus will continue to support Russia: “We are working together on all fronts. You know it. And we will keep working. When the U.S. President phoned [me], we discussed this problem. I told him we are one country. As a matter of principle, Russia is waging the war on its own. We support it and will support it however we can. I say it publicly.”

The Belarus President added: “[The conflict in Ukraine is] a disaster. Time will tell who is wrong and who is guilty. Very many will be grateful. Particularly in Europe. For the fact that once again in these complicated times we have to stop Nazism that could grow into fascism. This is why, Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin], we will fulfill our role and our function together to the end.”

In turn, Vladimir Putin stated: “And nobody can replace Belarus for Russia. We have very close relations.”

He also noted that personal relations between the leaders of the countries are good but it is important that results of joint work are obvious from the point of view of economic growth and the advancement of cooperation. There are many avenues in manufacturing cooperation, primarily in the manufacturing sector.