A Friend is Known in Trouble: Meeting of Putin and Lukashenko
On September 14, Putin met with Lukashenko to discuss “the key questions of strategic partnership” of Russia and Belarus. According to the Press Secretary for the Russian president Dmitry Peskov, among the main topics were economy, defence and fight against coronavirus.
One of the most prominent outcomes is arguably the promise to provide Minsk with a loan of $ 1.5 billion. Peskov stated, however, that it cannot be considered an intervention into domestic affairs of Belarus, but rather an act of help for the economy of the brotherly country and a major ally of Russia. In addition to this, Putin pointed out that Russia still remains one of the most significant investors in Belarus, with around 50% of the foreign trade turnover “falling on” Russia.
Even though Kremlin underlined that the loan would be provided to Belarus, and not to the president Lukashenko, Putin confirmed that Russia recognizes Lukashenko as a legitimate president of Belarus and as Putin’s “vis-a-vis” in the interstate relations. The Russian president also supports Lukashenko’s plans for constitutional reform, adding that “neither Moscow nor other European capitals” should get involved in the resolution of the situation in Belarus.
During the meeting, Putin has also confirmed that Belarus will be the first country to receive the Russian coronavirus vaccine and has already joined the last stage of the trial.
Finally, as a result of the summit, the Russian military reserves for Belarus are leaving their position on the border of the country, since the “extreme measures” to suppress the protesters were not needed. However, both leaders agreed to further cooperate in the sphere of defence, as the joint Russian/Belorussian military training “Slavic Brotherhood - 2020” begins.
In general, Moscow will adhere to the previously established agreements, even from the times “before Putin”, such as the established principles of the Union State and Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Thus, relations between the two states are to remain practically the same.
Lukashenko thanked the Russian president for the support in this post-election period and stated that Belarus should “stick closer to the older brother” in such complicated times. He added that the protests in Belarus are a lesson that both Minsk and Moscow successfully “endured”.
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