Lukashenko: We need a strong union of strong, economically self-sufficient sovereign states

An informal pre-New Year meeting is a long-standing tradition of the Commonwealth. For many years now, at the end of December, the heads of the CIS states have gathered in St. Petersburg for an informal summit. The President of Belarus is taking part in it. Alexander Lukashenko is currently on a working visit to Russia.

The leaders headed for talks at the all-season resort "Igora" - 80 kilometers off the northern capital. Although the summit is informal, the agenda is meaningful.

The leaders of the Commonwealth countries summed up the results of the year and discussed the prospects for integration cooperation.

In recent years, informal CIS summits have been combined with a cultural program. There have also been times when talks were held in a museum, including when the leaders visited palaces in the suburbs of the Northern capital. This time Putin invited his CIS colleagues to the all-season resort of Igora in the Leningrad Region.

The main thing, as Alexander Lukashenko always emphasizes, is that we are together. 2024 in the Commonwealth was chaired by Russia. As the host, Putin spoke about the results.

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia:

"In the past period, Russia's main efforts as the country chairing the CIS were aimed at developing integration in the Eurasian space, strengthening the international authority of the Commonwealth, and ensuring the effective operation of its executive bodies." Despite sanctions against Belarus and Russia, as well as secondary sanctions against other CIS countries, the Commonwealth has achieved economic growth. GDP has increased by almost 5%, there is great interest in industrial cooperation, and no one has any doubts that the CIS is the pillar of security in the region. Although attempts to destabilize the situation in various ways continue."

Kirill Koktysh, professor of the Department of Political Theory at MGIMO (Russia):

"They will try to destabilize the situation in the CIS, open a second front, provoke a color revolution. And here, all CIS countries without exception will be under equal threat, because we see what is happening in Georgia. Thank God that the government there turned out to be nationally oriented, it survived. But at the same time, we note a negative trend in Armenia. We see what is happening in Moldova and we understand that there, in general, the West can bet on an escalation."

Alexander Lukashenko always emphasizes that he is for the restoration of the CIS family in its previous composition. This means plus Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova. Our president calls it just a matter of time.

Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus:

"This means that we need to value what we have. All those who have not broken away from our Commonwealth are showing decent results today. They have not lost control of their country and remain full-fledged subjects of international relations. We need a strong union of strong, economically self-sufficient, sovereign states."

2024 was marked by high rates of cooperation for the CIS. Industrial and agricultural production volumes have increased. Commercial cargo transportation volumes have increased by almost 7%. Settlements in national currencies are also growing. Their share today exceeds 85%, which makes the Commonwealth more resilient to external pressure.

No documents were planned to be signed today. The leaders are talking to each other in an informal atmosphere, exchanging views on international issues.