Lukashenko wants to discuss with Putin problems regarding product supplies from Belarus
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated he would like to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin following his inauguration to discuss problems with deliveries of Belarusian products to Russia. However, Lukashenko still advises Russia to look for alternative markets.
“As for exports, look for other markets,” Lukashenko said, according to his press service. “If Russia does not understand us and does not want to understand, then I will meet the President [of Russia] after the inauguration, discuss [the issue] in detail and ask thorough questions. If they have decided to tilt us constantly for whatever reason, then we will seek our fortune elsewhere. So look for other markets. It is impossible to sit in the same market all the time.”
Lukashenko also stated that powdered milk from New Zealand was brought to Russia.
“Someone received kickbacks for this powdered milk from New Zealand,” he said. “First of all, what have they brought, and how are they feeding the people? But that’s their problem. They do not understand it, and do not want to understand—because there are kickbacks everywhere,” Lukashenko claimed.
According to him, Belarus “must see to its own interests, which do not contradict the interests of Russians.”
“We don’t carry anything bad for [Russia]. We are doing a good deed and we are constantly kneeling,” the Belarusian leader added.
The Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) has repeatedly imposed restrictions on the supply of products from selected Belarusian enterprises for various reasons. The Service has also established a regime of tightened laboratory control. The Service states that products from the territory of Belarus that fall under Russian retaliatory sanctions measures continue to be sent.