Vladimir Putin and Aleksandr Lukashenko in Minsk in 2000
MINSK, 18 December (BelTA) – What Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Russia’s new leader Vladimir Putin agreed on in 2000 is covered by the latest episode of the documentary series Time Chose Us aired by the TV channel Belarus One, BelTA has learned.
An early presidential election took place in Russia in 2000. Vladimir Putin from St. Petersburg became the president. Prior to assuming the office he had been the acting head of state. Western reporters described Vladimir Putin as an heir to [Russia’s first president Boris] Yeltsin’s throne.
The Republic of Belarus was the first country Vladimir Putin visited after winning the election. The leaders of the two countries had managed to compare notes and establish contacts prior to that. Before the election campaign they had exchanged protocols of ratification of the Treaty on Establishing the Union State of Belarus and Russia and had reaffirmed the intention to bolster integration processes.
Matters of economy as well as military technology cooperation were discussed in the Belarusian capital. The creation of a joint military force was one of the key topics. Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that they had managed to resolve the most complicated issues during two-way communication with Vladimir Putin.
“We will build a union state that is worthy for us. The tightest union that has been unfathomable in the post-Soviet space or the Soviet Union earlier. As brotherly nations we will aspire towards it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko gave assurances as he was answering questions of reporters.