Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko on relations with Russia: We do not play games, we want a level playing field

Aleksandr Lukashenko

SHKLOV, 24 January (BelTA) – Belarus is interested in having good and fraternal relations with Russia despite the current disagreements, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he visited Shklov Newsprint Mill on 24 January, BelTA has learned.  

“You should know that we do not play any games. We do not want to create unnecessary hassle for our main ally. It is really our main ally. Maybe they will come back to their senses and get back to normal relations. We want to work with them, but we want a level playing field. People, businesses should work on equal terms. So should the countries,” the president noted.

This, however, does not mean putting together everything Russia and Belarus has and splitting it in half. “We do not need it. This will be too big a chunk for us to swallow. We want to live and compete on equal terms. I am sure that we will cope," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The head of state believes that there is nothing to worry about. Belarus has excellent relations with many states. For example, a large number of products are shipped to the Chinese market.

“Today we are not so much affected when they [Russia] start banning our products from their market. They do it aggressively, for no reason, just to humiliate us. We do not respond in kind, though we could. We did once. We started stopping their vehicles for checkup at the border near Smolensk. The queue stretched many kilometers, all the way to the Kremlin. They understood then that their actions were inadmissible,” the head of state said.

“We lived through different times. We do not need conflicts. I say it frankly and openly. We need friendly relations, if Russia agrees to such,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

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