Tighter friendship with Belarus offsets the negative effect of Western sanctions for Russia, BelTA learned from State Secretary of the Union State of Belarus and Russia Grigory Rapota on the sidelines of the fifth Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia in Mogilev on 12 October.
Grigory Rapota believes that in the complicated atmosphere brought about by Western sanctions and embargoes the importance of trade partners like Belarus grows higher for Russia. “Russia is grateful to Belarus for the fact that while Russia's economy and trade may lose something due to the sanctions, the state of affairs is offset thanks to relations with such a staunch ally the Republic of Belarus is,” said the official.
Grigory Rapota went on saying that in these conditions it is important to simply work with each other, seeking mutual profits in cooperation.