MINSK, May 24. Presidents of Russia and Belarus Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko held talks in Minsk. The main topics of the meeting were security and economic issues. The key statements of the presidents are in the material.
As the Russian leader said, the two countries will strengthen defense cooperation.
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“An area that is extremely important in modern conditions is ensuring defense and security. But these are always issues that are in the field of view of the President of Belarus and mine; my colleagues and I are always engaged in this, especially recently,” Putin said.
Lukashenko, in turn, noted that at the negotiations they discussed options for responding to threats arising on the borders of the Union State.
Speaking about the joint exercise of non-strategic nuclear forces, the Belarusian president noted, that Moscow and Minsk are not escalating the situation, but must prepare so as not to miss a blow.
Putin stressed that no international norms are being violated.
“Russia regularly conducted and conducts exercises of strategic nuclear forces and non-strategic nuclear deterrent forces. The only difference is that after deploying part of the non-strategic nuclear potential on the territory of Belarus, we are conducting this together with our Belarusian allies,” he added.
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Economy was also on the agenda. As Lukashenko said, Putin made a decision on the terms of supplies of Russian energy resources.
«»Energy. The rhythmic work of the industry and the cost of the final product depend on it. It is necessary to finally agree on the terms of oil and gas supplies to the Republic of Belarus. We have been discussing this for several years. Today, Vladimir Vladimirovich made a corresponding decision. I think the governments will finalize their work in this direction in the coming days these agreements. We have examined all the nuances in detail,” the Belarusian leader said.
In addition, according to him, Minsk is ready to continue working with Moscow in the nuclear energy sector, including the construction of facilities in third countries.
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Putin confirmed that energy is one of the most important areas of cooperation.«»We also talked about this in detail in a narrow meeting, there are certain agreements. I have no doubt that they will all be implemented. Colleagues have certain instructions to finalize issues that have so far been unfinished, these are actually details, nothing significant in this no,” he added.
The President confirmed that all parameters for Russian gas supplies to Belarus have been agreed upon for the coming years. He also noted that the rhythmic operation of fuel and energy enterprises will certainly be ensured.
More than 90% of trade between Russia and Belarus is carried out in national currencies, Putin added.
The meeting in narrow format lasted about two hours. From the Russian side, it was attended by presidential assistant Yuri Ushakov, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs Andrei Belousov and Sergei Lavrov. Then the negotiations continued in expanded formats.
Putin flew to Belarus on an official visit late in the evening of May 23. The president's plane landed at Minsk airport, where he was met by Lukashenko.
After landing, the Russian president said that he intended to discuss with his colleague security issues, as well as Belarus' participation in exercises with non-strategic nuclear weapons.
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