The Russian-Belarusian talks have ended. The leaders signed a joint statement, followed by a ceremony to exchange documents signed during the official visit of the President of Belarus to Russia.
They signed the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus on measures for mutual protection of citizens from unjustified prosecution by foreign states and international justice bodies; the Protocol on Amendments to the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus on Equal Rights for Their Citizens of December 25, 1998, and the Protocol on the Exchange of Letters of Ratification of the Treaty between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus on Security Guarantees within the Union State. Other documents signed include intergovernmental agreements on cooperation in the field of intellectual property and on ensuring equal rights for consumers, as well as an interagency agreement on cooperation and information exchange for the development of the Geoportal hosting spatial infrastructure data for the CIS countries.
Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko also made statements to the media and answered journalists’ questions.
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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, colleagues, friends, ladies and gentlemen,
I am sincerely delighted to welcome President Lukashenko to the Kremlin. This is Mr Lukashenko’s first foreign visit since his re-election as President of Belarus. We greatly appreciate this step, which emphasises the special bond of relations between our two brotherly nations.
Belarus and Russia are not only close neighbours, but also reliable allies, truly strategic partners and true friends. Our cooperation is underpinned by the inviolable principles of mutual respect and consideration of each other’s interests, as well as a centuries-old shared history, the ties of close kinship between many Russians and Belarusians, and commitment to shared moral and spiritual values.
It was within this traditionally amicable, business-like and constructive atmosphere that today’s negotiations with the President of Belarus were conducted. We comprehensively reviewed nearly all principal aspects of bilateral collaboration across economic, cultural-humanitarian, and security-defence spheres.
We exchanged views on current international and regional matters. As you have just witnessed, a substantial package of interstate and interdepartmental documents was signed. Our joint statement with the President of Belarus explicitly reaffirmed our commitment to intensifying multifaceted Russian-Belarusian relations. Russia and Belarus will continue jointly advancing the Union State, deepening integration processes, and contributing to sustainable economic development, improved living standards, and enhanced welfare for citizens of both nations.
Cooperation within the framework of the Eurasian Union, which Belarus is chairing this year, is also progressing at a good pace. As Belarus’ principal economic partner, Russia accounts for approximately 60 percent of its foreign trade turnover. By the close of last year, bilateral trade increased by roughly six percent – specifically 5.7 percent – surpassing $50 billion. While Belarusian statistics indicate a marginally higher figure of just over 51 billion, compared to Russia’s assessment of slightly above 50 billion, this marks a historic achievement in any case.
Over 90 percent of all payments in Russian-Belarusian commercial transactions are conducted in our national currencies, thereby insulating mutual trade and investment from external interference and adverse global market trends.
Russia has invested approximately $4.5 billion into the Belarusian economy, with more than 2,000 Russian companies operational in the Republic. Collaborative initiatives focus on import substitution and the development of competitive, high-value-added goods. These efforts span strategically vital sectors such as automotive and machine tool production, agricultural machinery, microelectronics, and civil aviation, where significant potential for growth exists.
Energy is a priority area of Russia-Belarus cooperation as well. Our country has traditionally supplied oil and gas to Belarus on favourable terms, which is a serious help for the Belarusian economy.
A common electricity market has been formed and is operational; a major bilateral project for the joint construction of a Belarusian nuclear power plant has completed. The plant meets about 40 percent of Belarus’s electricity needs.
We see good prospects for deepening partnership in other high-tech areas as well. In particular, the issue is about cooperation in developing artificial intelligence, big data processing, and cloud computing, as well as creating full-fledged digital ecosystems. Of course, Russia-Belarus humanitarian cooperation and ways to maintain and increase the existing close and mutually enriching ties between the peoples of the two countries were discussed in detail today. In this context, we expect the Belarusian performing artists to take part in the international music contest Intervision in Moscow in September. This competition of talented performers was highly popular in the 1970s-1980s, and we decided to revive this good tradition.
Extensive scientific and educational exchanges are carried out between Russia and Belarus, with about 12,000 Belarusian students studying at Russian educational institutions. Next academic year, 1,300 Belarusian students more will begin studies at our universities on a budgetary basis.
Opportunities for more active involvement of the citizens in public and political life are expanding. Thus, in accordance with the protocol on amendments to the treaty of 1998 on equal rights of citizens of the two countries that was signed today, Russians living permanently in Belarus and Belarusians living permanently in Russia can now participate in local elections both as voters and as candidates.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, widely commemorated across our nations. This shared Victory, achieved at immense cost, remains a testament to the heroism of our fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers who secured life and freedom for us and for future generations. The President of Belarus has confirmed his participation in the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9. Also, as agreed, a contingent of the Belarusian Armed Forces will join the ceremonial parade on Red Square. The Immortal Regiment and Belarus Remembers memorial initiatives will be held in numerous Russian and Belarusian cities.
Given the tense global and European security environment, including near our shared borders, the negotiations included detailed discussions on establishing a unified defence space. A joint regional group of forces has been deployed in Belarus, alongside advanced Russian defence systems and tactical nuclear weapons. These measures robustly safeguard the western frontiers of the Union State and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation.
Today, an exchange of ratification instruments took place for the bilateral Treaty on Security Guarantees signed in Minsk on December 6, 2024, thereby bringing the treaty into legal force.
As a reminder, this document codifies mutual allied obligations to ensure the reliable defence and security of Russia and Belarus, employing all available forces and means.
Naturally, the talks also addressed further coordination of actions in the international arena. Our states share aligned positions on most global and regional challenges, cooperate effectively within the CIS and CSTO, and provide mutual support across various multilateral platforms, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, where Belarus became a full member in July last year with Russia’s assistance.
Russia also fully facilitated Belarus’ attainment of BRICS partner status. In conclusion, I reiterate my gratitude to the President of Belarus for substantive negotiations that will undoubtedly advance the development of Russia-Belarus allied relations across all domains.
Thank you for your attention.
President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko: Mr President, Ladies and gentlemen,
First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to you, Mr President, and to all members of the Government present here for the exceptional organisation of my visit and this meeting.
As always, my talks with the President of Russia were substantive and productive. We have only completed a third of our discussions. If necessary, we will continue tomorrow and even the day after to not only finetune our interstate relations but also to shape our future prospects. Time moves quickly and presents us with many challenges. We will come to agreements and chart the best paths for our cooperation.
As the President of Russia has already mentioned, we once again reviewed the key areas of cooperation between Belarus and Russia, as well as the priorities of the Union State in the short and medium term. We exchanged views on the current international situation in the global and regional contexts and reaffirmed the relevance of the Treaty on Security Guarantees within the framework of the Union State, along with the Union State Security Concept, both signed last December. Additionally, we discussed prospects for collaboration within the EAEU – where Belarus holds the chairmanship this year – the CIS, CSTO, SCO and BRICS, aligning with the broader vision of a Greater Eurasian Partnership and the concept of “integration of integrations.”
Mr Putin, I am sincerely grateful for everything you have done – not only what you promised but even beyond – to facilitate our country’s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and, effectively, to BRICS. While we are currently partners, these platforms provide us with valuable opportunities for engagement and cooperation.
We also discussed the prospects of restoring a normal and civilised dialogue at international forums on multiple pressing global issues, as well as the participation of our delegations in broader discussions. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has outlined the Belarusian-Russian approaches and contacts, and I understand that there were no objections. (Addressing Sergei Lavrov.) Mr Lavrov, I appreciate your efforts. You have consistently set an example for other government agencies in the context of our integration, showing how institutions should work together.
We did not overlook the evolving situation regarding the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. Mr Putin still has intensive discussions ahead on this issue today and likely tomorrow. We will continue examining the prospects, but as I have already mentioned to journalists – and I will reiterate in President Putin’s presence – we should not place undue expectations on this situation. We must base our approach on facts. A fact is a fact: we discuss it, we accept it, or we do not. That is what matters. Various statements and promises, for now, remain just that – statements and promises.
We also took note of some emerging positive trends in the geopolitical landscape, though they have yet to become dominant global trends. Meanwhile, the illegal economic sanctions imposed by a number of states have not been lifted. However, in some ways, they have even helped us. On this, Mr Putin and I are in full agreement.
The pressure on Belarus and Russia is not easing, although it is already clear to everyone that these restrictions are harming the countries that imposed them more. We, in turn, have been given the opportunity to think deeply about the prospects for our development and are convinced that after a certain time, we will completely overcome these pressures.
On the other hand, as we say, if there were no such challenges for us to tackle, we would have had to invent them. They have made us think seriously about self-sufficiency, the importance of self-reliance, food security, and technological sovereignty. Many challenges that seemed insurmountable just three years ago – Mr Putin and I discussed them: for example, microelectronics – oh chips, oh chips – today, everything flies, everything moves, everything goes, or drives, and so on. It turned out that we had reserves that we somewhat underestimated. We have discovered them, found them and are tapping into them.
Mr President, we highly appreciate your support, which has opened up access for us to the vast Russian market and helped to redirect the logistics of our commodity flows. What we once sold using ports in Lithuania and Latvia, we are now exporting successfully from the Leningrad Region, from St Petersburg. We are also operating on the Black Sea coast – we have completely redirected our exports.
Today, we continue to pursue this ongoing effort. We have great potential in the transport sector, and the time has come to consider ways to use it most effectively, primarily the railway transport capabilities. We have millions and millions of tonnes of cargo that we can ship, primarily from St Petersburg. However, apparently, the railway is not quite prepared to handle this flow. We would not like to use other ports, although we have to do this, and at great expense. We have begun to work on this, and I think we will implement it.
I am grateful to you for your promise, for your announcement of building a high-speed railway from Moscow to Minsk at some point. I am not mentioning any specific dates now. We discussed a link to Brest – after all, Brest is our common heritage, so we need to build a link to Brest.
I told Mr Putin that the recent presidential election was not the first, but how people voted meant something. We have always had the same voting pattern as Ukraine, a choice between the East (Russia) and the West. After 2020, the crazy year, voter turnout was over 90 percent, and more than 87 percent voted for the incumbent President, which reflected the general sentiment. Our people are in favour of the brotherly relations with our friendly and fraternal Russia.
We are closely cooperating on import substitution. Belarusian components and units are used in vehicles and aircraft assembled in Russia. Our lorries and dump trucks have successfully replaced Western counterparts in quarries and on the streets of cities.
Belarusian food, shoes, and clothing are well known to buyers in Smolensk as well as in Sakhalin. We will be happy to help Russia implement its new ambitious national projects.
I have cited an example. Recently, Maxim Reshetnikov visited with samples of drones. We had a large group of specialists in Belarus, and they showed the level Russia has reached in this field. We agreed, and Mr Putin approved the construction of another plant to manufacture unmanned aerial vehicles. This means that we can achieve anything; it just takes a little time.
Together with the President of Russia, we are already thinking not only about catching up, in terms of import substitution, but also about growing faster. We have begun to make progress in certain areas.
Belarus and Russia need a technological breakthrough for the sake of the future of our countries and peoples. We have everything we need for this, even more than we require. We just need a little time, as I always say.
The objectives have been outlined – the President of Russia has mentioned artificial intelligence, quantum biotechnology, microelectronics, robotics, new materials, thermonuclear fusion, UAVs and many other things that I have listed. Is there anything we cannot do? We are already doing it. Maybe not as much as we need, but we know how to do it and can do it. Belarusian-Russian cooperation in the social and humanitarian spheres is also expanding.
The signing of a protocol on amendments to the 1998 Agreement between Belarus and Russia on Equal Rights for Their Citizens will mark a significant step forward. This will enable Belarusian citizens to elect and be elected to local authorities. Russians have been using this right in our country for more than a year.
Our countries have many joint plans and projects for the current year, the most important of which is undeniably the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory over fascism.
Mr Putin, thank you, and thank you to the Russian people for being at the forefront of this process. Without you, it would have been difficult to defend that Great Victory, of which we are proud today.
It would be a great honour for us to participate in the anniversary Victory Parade on Red Square in Moscow on May 9, 2025. We remember and honour the heroism of the Soviet people, our fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers. The most important thing today is to be worthy of their memory, to prevent the rehabilitation of Nazism and the rewriting of history.
Thanks to a consistent, balanced and responsible foreign policy, Belarus and Russia are now at the forefront of the struggle for a fairer world order. We have been doing this for some time.
Our countries can and should serve as a benchmark for our partners in addressing the complex problems of our time, preserving and protecting our shared values, and providing mutual assistance in upholding national interests on the principles of equality and respect.
We have agreed with the President of Russia that we will overcome everything. We will make every effort to ensure that our nations are not the worst but the best in the world. We do not want anything that does not belong to us, but we have firmly agreed that we will not give up anything of our own. We have stood by this and will continue to do so.
Thank you, Mr President.
Thank you very much for your attention.
Natalya Breus: Good afternoon.
Natalya Breus, The First News Channel, Belarus.
Mr Lukashenko, Mr Putin, my question concerns whether the normalisation of relations between Moscow and Washington might impact the Union State’s import substitution efforts.
Numerous projects are ongoing, and we report on them regularly. However, should Western companies seek to return, could these initiatives to strengthen technological sovereignty be rendered futile?
Vladimir Putin: Regarding import substitution and related matters, including the unlawful restrictions termed “sanctions,” etc.
First, we’ve got a good “inoculation” from our so-called partners – one fostering self-reliance and sovereignty. Consequently, we will by all means continue all our programmes to fortify technological sovereignty. We never barred entry to any party nor expelled anyone. To those wishing to return, we say: “You are welcome at any time.” However, we will naturally proceed from existing market conditions: occupied niches will remain occupied, and no preferential terms will be created for re-entry to our market.
Moreover, we will endeavour, and the Government has already been duly instructed, to secure certain advantages for our domestic producers, even though remaining within the WTO frameworks.
Regarding the fundamental and cross-cutting avenues pertinent to the future of our economies and industrial sectors, we will, naturally, prioritise the requirements of the new technological paradigm and stage.
Concurrently, the return of certain Western partners to our market could positively influence the activities of both their companies and ours. Even now, albeit confidentially, negotiations are being conducted at the initiative of some of our partners concerning their potential return to our market. Everything proceeds calmly, with dignity, respect, and mutual interests in mind.
Alexander Lukashenko: The President of Russia once said:… (I seek to transition his words to a peaceful, civilian footing). He once said that we are ready to negotiate with Ukraine – I quote – but I want everyone, including Ukrainians, to recognise that we are returning to negotiations three years after we initiated them, and taking into account the situation on the ground. That is reasonable and prudent.
I believe we can apply this military thesis to our civilian domain. Should they return, certain new conditions will apply. Much time has elapsed, and both the conditions and the situation on the ground have evolved. You are welcome to return. However, as the President of Russia stated, we have acquired significant insights during this period and will draw the necessary conclusions.
I believe we will now scrutinise the situation. If you want to return, come – your presence is valued. If not, so be it. If yes, we will select the best. In other words, the situation has evolved. Although the ball is in our court, we know how to respond. Moreover, it is crucial to understand that over these three years, under intense pressure – and pressure invariably prompts mobilisation – we have achieved significant progress. Therefore, we intend to continue along our own path, adopting only what serves our needs. I believe this is the correct approach. President Putin and I have frequently deliberated this matter. Doors remain open. Yet, we will welcome you here under our new conditions, reflecting the situation on the ground, and we will take only what we require.
Olga Knyazeva: Good afternoon.
My first question is addressed to President Putin. What’s your take on Ukraine’s readiness for a ceasefire? Have you already received information from the Americans and what is your response going to be?
I have another question, and I ask both Mr Lukashenko and Mr Putin to answer it. Do Moscow and Minsk align their position regarding the peace process and have you already had relevant consultations today?
Thank you.
Vladimir Putin: As for Ukraine’s readiness for a ceasefire, I will tell you how I view it, of course.
But I would like to start by thanking the President of the United States, Mr Trump, for paying so much attention to the Ukraine settlement. We all have enough of our own domestic affairs to attend to. But many leaders of states, among them the President of the People’s Republic of China, the Prime Minister of India, the Presidents of Brazil and the Republic of South Africa are addressing this issue and give it a lot of their time. We are grateful to all of them for that, because this activity is aimed at achieving a noble mission – the mission of ending hostilities and loss of life. This is my first point.
Second. We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities but proceed from the assumption that this cessation should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of this crisis.
Now, on Ukraine’s readiness to cease the hostilities. You know, on the face of it, the US-Ukraine meeting in Saudi Arabia may look like the Ukrainian side made this decision under pressure from the United States. In fact, I am absolutely convinced that the Ukrainian side should have asked the Americans for this decision most emphatically, in view of the situation evolving on the ground, as has just been mentioned here.
And what is the current situation on the ground? Many of you have surely noticed that yesterday I visited the Kursk Region and listened to reports from the Chief of the General Staff, the Commander of the North group of forces and his deputy on the situation in the border area, first of all in the Kursk Region, or rather, in the incursion zone in the Kursk Region.
What is happening there? The situation there is completely under our control, and the grouping that invaded our territory has been isolated. It is completely isolated and under complete fire control. The control of Ukrainian troops inside this incursion zone has been lost. At the initial stages, just a week or two ago, Ukrainian servicemen tried to get out of there in small groups. Now it is impossible. They are trying to get out in very small groups of two or three men because everything is under our complete fire control.
The military equipment has been completely abandoned and it is impossible to remove it; it will remain there, one hundred percent. If this area is physically blocked in the next few days, then no one will be able to leave. There will only be two options: surrender or die. I think in these conditions it would be good for the Ukrainian side to achieve a ceasefire for at least 30 days. We are also in favour of it, but there are nuances. What are they?
First, what will we do about the incursion section in the Kursk Region? What would that mean if we cease fire for 30 days? Does this mean that everyone who is in there will just walk out without a fight? Do we have to let them go after they committed numerous heinous crimes against civilians? Or will the Ukrainian leadership issue a command for them to lay down their arms and just surrender? How will this happen? It is not clear.
How will other issues along the entire contact line be solved? It is almost 2,000 kilometres long. As you know, Russian troops are advancing in almost all areas of combat contact. Conditions are also very favourable there for us to block rather large units there.
So, how would these 30 days be used? For forced mobilisation to continue in Ukraine? For more weapons to be supplied there? For retraining the mobilised units? Or would none of this be done?
If so, how will issues related to control and verification be addressed? How can we guarantee and receive guarantees that nothing like this would happen? How will control procedures be organised? I hope everyone understands the complexity of all this at the level of common sense. These are all serious issues.
Who will order to cease fire? What is the price of these orders? Just imagine: almost 2,000 km. Who will be able to determine who violated the potential ceasefire agreement over a distance of 2,000 km and where exactly? Who will be held responsible for violating the ceasefire? All these issues must be meticulously worked upon by both sides. The idea itself is right, and, of course, we support it.
However, there are issues that must be discussed. I think we must talk them over with our American colleagues and partners, perhaps have a telephone conversation with President Trump and discuss them with him. However, the idea to put an end to this conflict by peaceful means gets our full support.
Alexander Lukashenko: I would like to draw the journalist’s attention to the fact that President Putin has already addressed more than the question posed here, projecting into the future and outlining key directions for the forthcoming meeting with American representatives. There is little to add.
I can only say that we have had a unified stance with the Russian Federation for a long time, and we maintain it now: all agreements, including those pertaining to the conflict in Ukraine, have been – and remain – strictly honoured before our ally and partners. We will stick to this position moving forward. It was not Russia or Belarus that were the root causes of developments there.
Boris Gryzlov [Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Belarus] is present here. I remember how we initiated negotiations first in Gomel and later in Belovezhskaya Pushcha mere days after the conflict’s outbreak: “Let us reach an accord – war is unacceptable under any circumstances,” I said at that time. Concurrently, I also talked to and urged Vladimir Zelensky: “Do not seek culprits now – that comes later. This war is unfolding on your soil; you bear responsibility for its presence in Ukraine.” I later cautioned him: “History’s lesson is clear – American leadership will shift tomorrow, and where will you stand?” I must have had second sight.
Thus, to answer your question directly: Ukrainians should have long ceased all fire and engaged in negotiations. Most importantly, as we maintain contacts with Americans and other Western actors – discreetly (I informed President Putin of this), I reiterate to them: “It was you who pushed this inexperienced guy into this war.”
To be honest, it all started with an individual well-known to President Putin and myself – Petr Poroshenko. At that time, after the signing of the Minsk agreements, he was given all the cards, and all the trumps were in his hands: come on, stop it – and none of this would have happened, and we would have agreed on Donbass, I am sure, and the same Donbass would have been part of Ukraine. “No, this is impossible,” he said. “There will be elections there. And how will we conduct the elections?”
I say: “Listen, today you have the Ukrainian hryvnia, the currency that is in circulation there – what else do you need?” Where is it now? No currency, no elections, only war and suffering. It all started with him. Thanks to President Putin, I was involved in this process.
This one [Zelensky] pledged to end the war. The opportunity existed. Why did not he stop the confrontation? It should have been done long ago, but it was not.
As for our position, we have a unified position. But, since we are meeting with journalists, then, with your permission, I would like to make some prediction: if Russia comes to agreement with the United States, both Europe and Ukraine will run out of gas. The fate of Europe, which has been acting misguidedly, judging by media reports, and looks like it will persist this way, is in the hands of Russia and the US and fully depends on the outcome of their negotiations.
The main thing is that we won’t be deceived by sweet promises this time. We know what our goals and interests are. Mr Putin, I have already said that in this situation, when Zelensky has been kicked out of the White House, he would do better to start thinking soberly. Three Slavic peoples that used to live normally, in peace and harmony, could always sit down, talk and come to terms. Look, nobody will help Ukraine. Did the issue of rare earth metals was raised by the Americans at the beginning of the war? No. And now, it is.
It seems that Zelensky is right, but they did not discuss this back then. However, now they will have to fulfill the agreements: they will be deprived of their black soil, rare earth metals, and God forbid everything else. That is why he will come back here – if not him, then a new, different president – who will rely on our internal forces here.
Someone wants us to kill each other. We understand this, and the other side doesn’t. So let them think.
Ours is a just cause.
Vladimir Putin: I would like to add something to what Mr Lukashenko said about Europe running out of gas if the US and Russia agree on something. Yes, this is true: for example, if Russia and the United States agree to cooperate in the energy sector, there may be a gas pipeline for Europe, which would benefit, because it will receive cheap Russian gas.
Alexander Lukashenko: This is what I meant.
Vladimir Putin: This is exactly how I understood.
The situation on the ground, which Mr Lukashenko and I spoke about, is changing rapidly. Yesterday, during the report, the commander of the North group of forces and his deputy told me that tomorrow Sudzha would be in our hands. That is exactly what happened.
I would like to thank all our fighters that fulfilled this task. I am confident that all the plans regarding the incursion section in the Kursk Region will be executed, as well as in other areas of combat engagement: not just in Sudzha, but in the nearby towns and villages. We are now taking them back one by one: all the nearby localities and the entire agglomeration. We will agree our next steps to end the conflict and reach agreements that will suit everyone based on the developments on the ground.
Anna Pyzh: Good evening.
I am Anna Pyzh of ONT TV Channel.
I have a a question as a follow-up on the topic, because obviously possible talks on Ukraine is one of the most discussed topics including in Belarus.
Mr Putin, will the interests of Belarus, as Russia’s strategic ally and at the same time Ukraine’s closest neighbour, be somehow factored in?
Mr Lukashnko, have you voiced any wishes to your colleague in this regard?
Vladimir Putin: What wishes? What about?
Anna Pyzh: Regarding the interests of Belarus being taken into account in the negotiation process.
Vladimir Putin: To be honest, I do not really understand your question. I can only say in general terms that the interests of the Republic of Belarus are always taken into account in our relations with anyone – both with our partners from across the ocean and with our closest allies and neighbours.
Within the framework of the Union State we proceed from the premise that we have a common concept of foreign policy activities. Our foreign ministries cooperate very closely with each other on all international platforms. We work closely within the EAEU. And we have very deep cooperation in the economy, the real sector of the economy.
Therefore, we simply cannot ignore common interests. And there is no desire to do so. Because any step we take in any of these areas somehow affects both us and Belarus.
Accommodating the interests of Belarus is fully in line with the national interests of the Russian Federation.
Alexander Lukashenko: Mr Putin, this issue emerged at the prompting of our fugitives abroad and their foreign sponsors who claim that Russia will make an agreement with America but Lukashenko will not be allowed to join etc., and the interests of Belarus will not be respected. The context is something like that.
Firstly, in response to this, I said that I am not particularly eager to join. That’s the first thing.
And second, the Russian Federation, our close partner, will be there. And Russia knows our interests and will in no way concede to anyone and will not give up our interests – just as you said. Therefore, if anyone hopes that talks by Russia and the United States or Russia and the West on Ukraine will somehow harm neighbouring Belarus in the context of this conflict, this is absolutely not the case. The President of Russia has once again confirmed this, there is nothing to add.
Vladimir Putin: I did not quite understand the question in this regard, because it is harmful for us not to take into account the interests of Belarus, you see? That’s what it is all about. So the question is, frankly speaking, far-fetched. But I hope that I have answered it.
Ilya Yezhov: Good afternoon.
Ilya Yezhov, RIA Novosti.
President Putin, President Lukashenko, I would like to ask a question about the progress of integration between Russia and Belarus, specifically regarding the economic aspect. Could you please comment on the current status of the 28 programmes developed for economic integration?
What is the current stage of integration planned for 2024–2026? In general, as leaders, are you satisfied with the pace of integration?
Thank you.
Vladimir Putin: First, all 28 programmes that we planned have been implemented 100 percent.
Second, we have fulfilled more than 26 percent of what we planned for 2024–2026 so far.
Personally, I am satisfied with the way this work is progressing. The governments are working very hard, intensively and effectively.
From time to time, President Lukashenko and I need to intervene to reconcile inconsistencies between different departments, but this is routine management. Sometimes we disagree with each other, but we always find a compromise that suits both sides.
I am personally satisfied with the way this work is progressing.
Alexander Lukashenko: I can hardly add anything. I am very glad that Mr Putin is satisfied with the implementation of these programmes. We had our concerns, and we also had a considerable workload. But we have clearly agreed on the procedure, as the President of Russia has just explained.
If the governments cannot agree on something at their level, they need to submit it to our level for discussion. Today we considered two or three such issues during the talks. We reached agreements on them, and the governments can continue working – both the joint working groups and our embassies. Therefore, I am also pleased with the progress we are making.