Putin and Lukashenko agree to strengthen Belarus’s cooperation with BRICS

On 13 March, President of Belarus Aleksander Lukashenko arrived in Moscow for an official visit, where he held talks with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. This marks the Belarusian leader’s first foreign trip since his re-election as head of state.

Following the meeting, the parties signed a joint statement and a number of other documents. In their statement, the leaders of the two countries welcomed Belarus’s attainment of BRICS partner status and agreed to maintain regular exchanges of views on cooperation within the group and to establish systematic interaction between the republic and BRICS.

Additionally, during the meeting, Putin highlighted the successes in trade and economic cooperation between the two nations.

"Trade turnover has grown by about 5.7 per cent, reaching a record level. According to your [Belarusian] statistics, it exceeds US$51 billion, while according to Russian data, it is slightly lower – just over US$50 billion. [...] Moreover, work is progressing both in routine operations and with an eye to the future: we are opening new avenues of cooperation"

Vladimir Putin President of Russia

At a press conference, the Russian leader emphasised that Russia accounts for approximately 60 per cent of Belarus’s foreign trade turnover. According to him, the Russian side has invested around US$4.5 billion in the Belarusian economy, with over 90 per cent of all payments in bilateral trade transactions conducted in national currencies.

Putin also focused on energy cooperation, noting that the nuclear power plant built in Belarus with Russian assistance supplies 40 per cent of the republic’s electricity needs.

Discussing educational ties, the Russian president pointed out that around 12,000 Belarusian students are studying in Russia, and next year, an additional 1,300 applicants will be able to enrol in Russian universities on a state-funded basis.

In turn, Lukashenko described the negotiations with his Russian counterpart as productive and substantial. He stated that Belarus is prepared to assist Russia in implementing national projects.

"Together with the President of Russia, we are thinking not only about recovery growth [...] but also about accelerated development. Belarus and Russia need a technological breakthrough for the future of our countries and peoples. We have everything necessary for this"

Aleksander Lukashenko President of Belarus

According to him, deeper cooperation is needed in artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, biotechnology, microelectronics, robotics, new materials, nuclear fusion, and other fields.

At the press conference, the Belarusian head of state also stated that he and the Russian president had agreed on several issues related to integration efforts within the Union State and discussed prospects for developing ties within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and BRICS. He thanked Putin for facilitating Belarus’s accession to the SCO as a full member and to BRICS as a partner.

Lukashenko confirmed that he would attend the Victory Parade in Moscow on 9 May and invited Putin to visit Belarus at a convenient time for the Russian leader.

On Friday, 14 March, the President of Belarus will address the plenary session of the Federation Council of Russia.

Photo: kremlin.ru