Business news

MINSK, 3 February (BelTA) – Belarus has lost $15 billion due to unequal prices on the Belarusian market and the Russian one. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the relevant statement as he met with representatives of the general public, Belarusian and foreign mass media on 3 February, BelTA has learned.

“Due to unequal prices, unequal conditions Belarus has lost $15 billion only because of the prices. The Russian side recognizes the figure and has lent us $5 billion. I am not entirely happy with the fact that they took $15 billion from us with these prices and lent us our money — and only one third of it at that — with an interest rate three times higher than the IMF offers. Is it normal?” wondered Alexander Lukashenko.

Meanwhile, Russia keeps criticizing Belarus and made a series of TV films themed after The Godfather movie. “I haven’t watched a single one. I’d love to watch them to learn what they are about. But people tell me the films go as far as insulting the president. Is it normal? We had an agreement with Russians, with the presidents that we can argue all we want but we will never cross the line into personal insults,” said the head of state. Alexander Lukashenko pointed out that nothing like that had been said in Belarus about the president and the prime minister of Russia. “It starts with personal things and ends with economy. It is not normal. It has to stop,” stressed the President.