MINSK, 5 May (BelTA) – Very open and friendly relations have been established between the presidents of Belarus and Russia. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement in an interview with Associated Press, BelTA has learned.
Asked how honestly and openly the leaders of the two countries communicate, Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I doubt that Vladimir Putin has tighter, more open and friendly relations with any world leader than with the president of Belarus.”
Describing the style of communication with the Russian leader, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that he tells everything to Vladimir Putin directly like to an elder brother. Naturally without devolving to insolence or rudeness: “We have very decent, honest, and open relations, particularly now.”
“He and I have good relations, the best relations heads of independent states may have,” the Belarusian leader stressed.
Aleksandr Lukashenko reminded about events that happened in Belarus in 2020: “Thank god, we've dealt with that. When I asked him to support me in case of need, there were even no questions.”
He pointed out that there are no closed topics in his communication with the Russian counterpart. Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin may discuss personal and global matters during meetings.
“When we talk about Ukraine, I sincerely tell him how I see that. But I have to tell you that I don't get impudent. Impudence is out of the question. Am I supposed to lecture him? He is an experienced politician, he needs no lectures,” the head of state remarked.
Yet the two heads of state sometimes argue. Aleksandr Lukashenko noted: “We had reasons for arguing and the reasons still stand. We talk about it. I even cite an example to him at times. I say: look at how Americans and Europeans support Ukraine and how they support each other by enabling equal conditions for all countries. Germans and Americans are sick and tired of Lithuania and Latvia already. Nevertheless, they forbearingly support them the way they have agreed to.”
Speaking about the Union State of Belarus and Russia, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that equal conditions for individuals and corporations had yet to be enabled despite the common effort to resist the pressure of Western sanctions. “We discuss it sincerely. We are moving towards it little by little,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “Since we are building a union, since we've embarked upon the construction of the Union State, don't we need equal conditions for people, enterprises, companies, and businesses? We do. We don't have that for now. It is the key sticking point. It was due to prices for natural gas, for energy resources, due to access to the market of the Russian Federation. You must remember it. Certainly, we very fiercely discuss these problems.”
According to the Belarusian leader, Vladimir Putin and Aleksandr Lukashenko have different political styles because the Russian president is restrained in public while Aleksandr Lukashenko is more inclined to show emotions. “This is why don't be surprised that we've argued,” the president pointed out. “But we've never had differences of opinion regarding the key matter. And the key matter is defense and security of our states.”
