Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko on upcoming meeting with Zelensky: We will find common ground

MINSK, 26 September (BelTA) – I think that the upcoming meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky during the 2nd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine in Ukraine’s Zhitomir will be a good opportunity for us to get acquainted with each other’s stance on different matters, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with representatives of the Ukrainian mass media in Minsk on 26 September, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the upcoming meeting will provide a good opportunity to meet each other and to better understand each other’s stance on different matters. “I promise I will be sincere. I am known to be an honest man, and I am used to speaking my mind,” said the Belarus president.

“I guarantee you that we will find common ground,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Speaking about the current relations with Volodymir Zelensky, the Belarusian president noted that there are not any yet: “There is almost no relationship on the personal level. We are just not worsening the state of things that we currently have. We do not have a personal relationship yet.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that if he feels that the interlocutor is honest and sincere, they will have good relations, and no one will be able to break them.

“He [Volodymir Zelensky] makes a good impression on me. He has not avoided mistakes as he has no experience yet. There were some mistakes indeed. If he is interested, I will share my point of view with him,” the head of state added.

Referring to the topics that will be discussed in Zhitomir, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that any interstate relations have their own agenda.

“The economy and joint projects will be on the agenda of our negotiations. For example (this is not the main thing), missile engineering is an important topic for us. We have already started to build a new missile but we do not have enough competences, experienced people. You have them. We do not need an intercontinental missile to build. Why not discuss this project and instruct specialists to work this issue through,” the president said. "The issue of hydrocarbons is very important for you and for us,” he added.

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