MOSCOW, 13 March (BelTA) – The policy in favor of cooperation with Russia is supported by the people of Belarus. Results of the latest presidential election demonstrated it among other things. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement during negotiations with President of Russia Vladimir Putin, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I thought long about what I can say about our relations. As you’ve said, they have indeed reached a very high level. We are creating a unique formation in the form of the Union State [of Belarus and Russia]. History has no examples like that. We are off the beaten track. It is complicated. But as you’ve said we have a good mirror that shows us our steps. I am talking about economy, trade and economic relations. And every year we gain despite all the problems. We’ve had problems and we will continue having problems. It indicates that we are moving in the normal direction.”
Speaking about the latest presidential election held in Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out that a certain choice of the vector between the East and the West always comes to the forefront one way or another during such political campaigns.
“Our elections are always about one side and the other one. As they said in a famous movie, the other side ran away. A small part ran to the West. But some still hide in Belarus. Some stay silent somewhere,” the head of state stated.
Continuing the line of thought, he mentioned a very high voter turnout during the latest election and the percentage of votes in favor of the incumbent president. “Although there were constraining factors from all sides. Everyone held back our people. [Opposition] mass media and the rest wanted them not to go to the polls,” Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked.
The president stressed that nearly 87% of the voters had voted to support him. “It was a voting along the lines of whether we stand with Russia, whether we choose the eastern vector, whether our cradle is here or somewhere else. Well, here is the answer. The nation gave an answer. And this question, the key question has always been on the agenda in our country out of the public view. It is a peculiarity of all our elections. This is why you should have no doubt. I, my colleagues – members of the government, members of the parliament – are in favor of our tightest relations,” the head of state stated. “We’ve confirmed it as part of our joint fight today, with the conflict in Ukraine at its pinnacle. We have always supported such a policy. And it is very important that the nation has demonstrated it. Our people understand perfectly well where our friends are and where our adversaries, enemies, and competitors are.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko thanked his Russian counterpart for the beginning of the official visit. “We need this demonstration to show to Belarusians and Russians that we stand together. That we are sovereign independent states. And yet we are kindred people. That we will forge ahead,” the head of state said.
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