In turn, Lukashenko recognized the need for “closer” relations between Minsk and brotherly Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, during negotiations with the current head of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, which took place on Monday, September 14 in Sochi, confirmed the fact that Moscow had allocated a loan to Minsk in the amount of one and a half-billion dollars.
“We have agreed and we will fulfill it,” Putin said on this occasion, quoted a representative of The Eastern Herald. He also recalled that Russia is the largest investor in the Belarusian economy; countries have very deep cooperation in many areas.
At present, the Russian president noted, Belarus, like Russia, should start restoring trade, which fell in spring and summer due to the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Also, Putin once again confirmed that Moscow regards Minsk as “the closest ally.”
In turn, Lukashenka noted that Belarus is grateful to Russia for its help and promised to maintain “closer relations with his older brother.”
Observers have already noted that Minsk needs a Russian loan to maintain the exchange rate of the Belarusian ruble. Over the past month, the country has lost 15% of its gold and foreign exchange reserves; citizens are buying up the foreign currency at a record pace and withdrawing funds from banks.
Earlier in the same meeting, Putin promised that Belarus would be the first country to be provided with a coronavirus vaccine by Russia.
