MINSK, 29 December (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has thanked Russia, and first of all personally President Vladimir Putin for supporting Belarus amidst the sanctions. The Belarusian leader made this statement at the official part of the meeting with his Russian counterpart in Saint Petersburg, BelTA has learned.
“Naturally, you are well-informed about the situation in Belarus. I am very grateful to you, and I appreciate what you personally have done for Belarus and I appreciate the support you provide to us. I don't want to flatter you. It's not about that. The thing is that you are very receptive to all our proposals and requests. Russian companies, the Russian government and banks meet us halfway and support us in this difficult time of sanctions. There are incessant attempts to strangle us. They introduced five rounds of sanctions, and they are considering the sixth round. These sanctions make no sense and will not benefit anyone,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.
Aleksandr Lukashenko continued: “The fact that our trade and GDP increased this year despite the sanctions and the pandemic is to a large extent due to the Russian Federation and to a lesser extent to our other friends in the international arena. I would like to sincerely thank you for that.”
The president noted that no matter what turn the relations could take, the Belarusians will definitely return the favor. “I think we can still do a lot. We cooperate in all areas and we will keep doing it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.
