MINSK ( BelTA) – A multi-vector policy does not distance Belarus from Russia in any way, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Governor of Russia’s Ulyanovsk Oblast Aleksey Russkikh in Minsk on 29 September, BelTA has learned.

“As for our trade and economic relations, you know our capabilities well. I always tell Russian governors: look, if we can do something for you in this situation, we will always do it. Regardless of what they say around us. And especially what they write, particularly in Russia,” the head of state said. “I follow the media very closely, since the war today is being waged above all in the media. And frankly speaking, I sometimes read with surprise what some people there, whether bloggers or whoever else, write about Belarus. About multi-vectorism and so on. I have said this many times already: a multi-vector polucy does not distance us from the Russian Federation in any way.”

“Yes, we pursue a multi-vector policy, because economics is at its core,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.

He explained that if, for example, the western “wing” of cooperation was cut off at the West’s own initiative, then Belarus, pursuing a multi-vector policy, turned to the south, the southwest, the east, and is intensifying relations with African states.

“Our interest and our vectors lie where our economy is. This is not about our deep-rooted relations, above all with you, the Russian Federation. That is why the chatter about this multi-vectorism and the reproaches directed at Lukashenko are absolutely incompatible,” the president said. “And besides, I have been working as President for more than 30 years. It is too late for me to change any vectors. Some have even gone so far as to say that ‘Lukashenko is not an ally’. Well, that is a matter of taste. So far we, and I think it will continue this way, find common ground with the leadership of the Russian Federation. Both with the president of Russia and with the heads of the leading parties. There are no differences in approaches.”

“We are patriots, ready to defend our Fatherland. And you should know there is no retreat here, let alone betrayal, nor should there be. You can see in Ukraine where betrayal leads. We do not want to repeat that fate,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.

The head of state noted that Belarus has always sought to maintain good relations with its neighbors, whom, as is well known, one does not choose. “Well, in the West they do not want such relations with us. God be with them, that is their business,” he remarked.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also emphasized that in any dialogue with foreign partners, including the Americans, the question of Belarus’ relations and cooperation with Russia and China is put outside the brackets. “These are people who have always extended a hand to us, helped us and supported us. When they imposed sanctions against us and Russia, the East opened up for us. We will respond in kind to our Russian brothers, to the citizens of China and to others in the East,” the president stressed. “We are not a gigantic economy that can afford some kind of geopolitical ambitions. As I often say, we do not need much for our people to live normally. For the economy to work. For us, the main thing is technology. We need to go deeper.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that in Belarus efforts are made to develop all the production potential that remained from the times of the Soviet Union. “We have lost nothing since Soviet times, we have closed nothing down, shut nothing off. On the contrary, we developed it. And since we, as the classic said, stood on the shoulders of giants, this helped preserve what we have today. This is important for any state,” the president said.

Moreover, many sectors in Belarus have received additional development. “Today we have even set our sights on cooperation with you in aircraft manufacturing. For us this is very important,” the head of state said.

He recalled that the repair of aircraft and armored vehicles in Belarus had been carried out since Soviet times. “But it is time to move from repair to production. And we are doing a great deal, preparing units and components for you. We are ready to modernize production and go deeper. We are ready to produce together with Russia - there is a project for the Osvey aircraft. We will work on production together,” the Belarusian leader said.

Belarus has also been known since Soviet times for its products in microelectronics and optics. “We have raised this to a world level. And there is great demand today for these products in all areas. This shows that we always use and will continue to use the experience of the past, while developing new directions,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Another important area in which Belarus has accumulated strong competencies is mechanical engineering, from passenger vehicles to the largest mining haul trucks in the world. Recently, the electric-drive machinery segment has been developing. And in these matters Belarus adapts to the demands of buyers. “The Russians asked us to make one running on gas engine fuel – we made that BelAZ. And it all began with ordinary mechanisms. And so, little by little, we are developing in all directions,” the president noted.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also mentioned the oil refining sector, whose products are in demand in Russia: “We have significantly modernized our oil refining. As it turned out, our oil industry is today in demand in Russia.”

The president proposes bringing the USA, among others, into joint fertilizer production with Russia. “Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin, President of Russia] and I agreed that Gazprom will join us in implementing the project to build a nitrogen plant. We should offer it to the Americans. They want fertilizers, including nitrogen ones, so let us build it together. Using your technology. You [the USA], Gazprom and Belarus. We have already selected a site, with all necessary networks in place. If not, we will build it with Gazprom and the Russians and sell the finished product,” the head of state said.

Speaking about the personal qualities of the head of Ulyanovsk Oblast, Aleksandr Lukashenko characterized Aleksey Russkikh as a man committed to justice. “Our people in Ulyanovsk Oblast - Russians and Belarusians - treat you very well. This is very important,” he said. “I understand the seriousness of the situation, I understand the particular features in one state or another. They always exist in Russia, in Belarus and in Ukraine. But I know, I am convinced, that our views on the fundamental things, on the milestones in the development of our state, our Fatherland, Russia, Belarus, they do not differ much.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed confidence that Aleksey Russkikh had come to Belarus as a true friend who watches its development closely and holds Belarusians in high regard. “Gennady Zyuganov [leader of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation] recently told me about this. I am sure he is no stranger to you either, since you worked together at one time. A very strong, capable and competent leader,” the Belarusian leader said.

“So you have come to us as a friend to his own people. This is not a foreign land to you. And if we can do something for you, take a look and tell us, we will gladly do it,” the president added.