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PM: Belarus, Russia strengthen partnership, increase trade amid sanctions

NUR-SULTAN, 25 February (BelTA) - Belarus and Russia are strengthening partnership and increasing trade amid the West’s sanctions, Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said at a working meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Nur-Sultan on 25 February, BelTA has learned.

In his words, the trade between Belarus and Russia continued growing, reaching its record high over the past years in 2021. “We continue working despite the incessant and increasing sanctions and other attacks on Belarus and Russia from the collective West,” said Roman Golovchenko.

“A lot of difficulties arise, especially for Belarus, which has long been subjected to this pressure. I would like to express my gratitude for the constructive approach to solving difficult issues, especially during this period, which is likely to be difficult both for the Belarusian and Russian economies. I think it is worth synchronizing our approaches to the anti-sanction measures,” the prime minister said.

“The way we respond to the sanctions is an example of a successful partnership and allied relations, which are tested and strengthened in this difficult environment,” stressed Roman Golovchenko.

He drew attention to the continuous accumulation of forces and hardware on the eastern flank of NATO. “Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko spoke about this at the recent operational meeting with the military, too. The Belarusian Armed Forces and other military formations ensure security on the western borders of the Union State,” Roman Golovchenko said.

The Belarusian-Russian trade totaled $40.1 billion in 2021, up 35% year-on-year. Belarus' exports to Russia amounted to $16.4 billion, up 24.6%. Russia is Belarus' main trading partner, accounting for 49% of the foreign trade in goods and 41.1% of exports in 2021.

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