An archive photo
MOSCOW, 14 March (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko's official visit to the Russian Federation continues. This is the first foreign visit of the Belarusian leader after his re-election in January this year, BelTA has learned.
On the second day of the visit, on 14 March, the Belarusian head of state will speak at the plenary session of the Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament, and meet with Federation Council Chairperson Valentina Matviyenko.
Aleksandr Lukashenko arrived in Moscow on 13 March. On the same day he held official talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin. The heads of state talked one-on-one for a little over an hour. After that the discussion proceeded in an expanded format, with members of the delegations in attendance. These talks were held over luncheon.
It is possible that the heads of state will continue talks, as the president of Belarus remarked the day before: “We have held only a third of our talks. We will continue our talks tomorrow, if necessary, and the day after tomorrow, to thrash out our prospects. We need to be clear about them. Time flies and many questions arise.”
During the talks with the Russian leader, Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that the policy in favor of cooperation with Russia is supported by the people of Belarus and results of the latest presidential election demonstrated it. “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,” he said.
The president declared Belarus' readiness to join ambitious national projects in Russia. “Together with the president of Russia, we are thinking not only about recovery growth and import substitution, but also about advanced development. Belarus and Russia need a technological breakthrough for the future of our countries and peoples. We have everything in place for this,” the president is confident.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also confirmed plans to attend the Victory Parade in Moscow on 9 May to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. “It is a great honor for us, Belarusians, to take part in the anniversary Victory Parade on Red Square in Moscow on 9 May 2025,” the head of state said.
The heads of state answered questions from the media, which, among other things, concerned the peace process in Ukraine, the Union State plans in the economy, the possibility of resuming cooperation with Western partners who have left the market, and the conditions under which this would be possible.
Vladimir Putin emphasized that the interests of Belarus are always taken into account when building relations between Russia and anyone. This is due to the very close cooperation of the countries in a variety of areas. “Taking into account the interests of Belarus is fully consistent with the national interests of Russia. Disregarding the interests of Belarus is harmful to us,” he said.
Following the talks, the presidents signed a joint statement. The document reads that the talks were held in an atmosphere of friendship, mutual understanding, and trust. The leaders confirmed the allied nature of relations between Belarus and Russia and their commitment to expanding strategic partnership in all areas. The joint statement also outlined the position of the countries on a number of key issues of the international agenda.
Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin signed the protocol on exchanging instruments of ratification of the treaty on security guarantees within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia after official negotiations in Moscow. It allowed the document to come into force.
The heads of state also signed a bilateral agreement on mutual protection of citizens from unwarranted persecution by foreign states and international justice bodies.
The heads of state also signed a protocol amending the bilateral agreement on equal rights of citizens of 25 December 1998. The protocol provides for the possibility, on a reciprocal basis, for Belarusian and Russian citizens permanently residing in the territory of the other state to participate in local elections - to vote and be elected to local self-government bodies. Citizens of Russia permanently residing in Belarus had this opportunity before, and now citizens of Belarus have received similar rights in Russia.
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