Lukashenko's press service share details of conversation with Russian leader

The leaders of Belarus and Russia, Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin, held a telephone conversation on the evening of February 19. During the conversation, they further discussed issues related to the upcoming meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State, BelTA reported, citing the press service of the President of Belarus.

"Indeed, the heads of state had a telephone conversation yesterday evening. The presidents further discussed issues planned for consideration at the upcoming meeting of the Supreme State Council. It is known that it will be held next week in Moscow. Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin compared notes on the agenda of the upcoming event and the most pressing topics to be discussed both in a broader forum and privately. The conversation also touched on several issues related to Belarusian-Russian relations," the press service stated.

The allies are continuing their economic integration, primarily to ensure technological sovereignty and import independence, taking into account absolute political understanding.

Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus:

"Some say someone is trying to tear Belarus away from Russia. There is no force today that is capable of tearing Belarus away from Russia, or Russia away from Belarus. Circumstances have conspired to bind us together for decades and centuries. Although we have nothing to reproach ourselves for—we have always been oriented toward Russia; much, if not everything, is ours there. Our resources and market are there. We are completely united in this regard, including politically. The attempt to build a unified Union space stems from our centuries-old ties. So what can we say about forces that are trying to tear Belarus away from Russia? We have a united Fatherland from Brest to Vladivostok. It would be nice if it were from Lisbon to Vladivostok, at least economically. But that doesn't depend on us. But from Brest to Vladivostok, this Fatherland cannot be lost. We have defended it together for centuries, fought for it. It does not belong to Putin and Lukashenko. We have no right to do so." "To tear it apart. In this Fatherland, there are two states, two sovereign states dependent on each other. We live well as good neighbors. We understand each other."

During talks with the State Secretary of the Union State, the President identified bottlenecks. This is the government's work, including proposals and the follow-through of projects that have already been launched. The list of Belarusian trading partners currently includes 210 countries, with Russia being number one. If this state of affairs continues, joint ventures are becoming the primary objective.

On the eve of the Supreme State Council, a parliamentary assembly commission meeting will also be held, where, for example, the development of cooperation in aircraft manufacturing will be discussed. Russia produces both civilian aircraft and military fighter jets. The Belarusian side has experience in these areas. As stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, joint programs in this area could involve our industrial sector until 2035. This is a specific example of the large-scale cooperation that the Union strives for.