Alexander Lukashenko ends working visit to Russia

The working visit of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to Russia has ended, BELTA reports.

The President arrived in Moscow on October 7. On Monday evening, a dinner was held with the participation of the leaders of the CIS countries. The heads of state had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues in an informal setting, and at the same time congratulate their Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on his birthday.

The next day, Alexander Lukashenko told journalists that he had given Vladimir Putin "a very serious, original and special gift" created by Belarusian craftsmen. However, he did not specify what exactly it was.

As for the topic of informal communication, the President said the following: "From geopolitics to specific domestic issues. But the main thing is that let's be together."

On October 8, the official CIS summit was held in the Kremlin. In his speech, the head of the Belarusian state suggested thinking about how to more effectively use the potential of regional integration. "The common goal is clear. We need a strong union of strong, economically self-sufficient sovereign states. We constantly talk about equal conditions and respect for national interests. Much has already been done, but there is still something to strive for," said Alexander Lukashenko.

In this regard, he outlined several areas. These include strengthening the international status of the CIS; counteracting the imposition of alien extremist ideologies, attempts to involve citizens in illegal, including terrorist, activities; achieving technological sovereignty in the Commonwealth; promoting and cultivating our own system of values.

At the summit, Alexander Lukashenko sincerely and heartfeltly presented a joint Address to the peoples of the Commonwealth countries and the world community in connection with the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. This was one of the items on the agenda of the expanded meeting.

The President emphasized that memory can be stolen, but not the truth: "If it were not for the heroism of the Soviet people, there would not be those states and people who are doing everything to discredit the feat of the Soviet people and take away our Great Victory, which unites us so much. We know why. The historical rightness of our peoples is an obstacle to the implementation of the long-term geopolitical plans of the West, in which there is no place for other strong powers."

On the last day of the working visit, a meeting between Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin took place in the Kremlin. Members of the delegations from both sides also took part in the event.

The President of Belarus supported the thesis of his Russian colleague that the world is changing at a furious pace. In this regard, both new threats and new opportunities are emerging. "Naturally, issues arise that need to be resolved. And no matter how many times we meet, half of our conversations are always about internal affairs: the well-being of Belarusians, Russians. And security issues," said Alexander Lukashenko. "I believe that we do not have many issues at all. Two or three issues that we will discuss with you today. And we need to dot the i's in these issues and move forward in our relations."

Following the meeting, a ceremony was held to award President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko with the highest state award of the Russian Federation - the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called.

"You, dear Alexander Grigorievich, are certainly worthy of this highest award. Awarding you the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called reflects Russia's gratitude for your outstanding contribution to the development of Russian-Belarusian relations of alliance and strategic partnership," the Russian leader emphasized.

"Thank you for this high award. I consider it as recognition of the merits of the entire Belarusian people, who consistently strengthen unity with our brotherly Russia. For our country, Russia has always been and will be more than a neighboring state," said Alexander Lukashenko. After the ceremony, Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin continued their conversation.