Фото: пресс-служба Лукашенко
Alyaksandr Lukashenka on Monday cited a slump in industrial exports and delays in the mutual recognition of digital signatures among the problematic issues in relations with Russia. He made the remarks while receiving Belarus’s ambassador to Moscow, Aliaksandr Rahozhnik.
“To say that the Russian direction is important for us… Well, what is there for the ambassador to be told about this? I told you about this when you were appointed. And after working there, you understand that this is our main direction. It seems that overall we are ensuring growth there. And taking into account, frankly speaking, how things are developing in Belarus and Russia, 102.5 percent — close to 103 percent — looks not bad. But our plan was 105 percent. We see problems. We have a downturn in industry. This is your area, by the way, as a former minister of industry — and there are no former ones,” Lukashenka said.
He also asked the ambassador to report on joint projects in Russia, in particular in the development of machine-tool building.
“Secondly, as I am being informed, beyond the Ministry of Industry, what is the situation with new production facilities? This is very important. We talk a lot now about machine-tool building. Without it there can be no development. And we have this topic, a good foundation, a school, competencies. We are talking about aircraft manufacturing and much, much more, including the defense industry. What do you see here? What shortcomings are there?” he said.
Lukashenka noted the need to expand Belarus’s presence on the Russian services market.
“The services market. And you yourself admit that in this respect we need to expand our presence in Russia, especially since such opportunities are in demand in the Russian Federation today. Something has stalled there with the digital signature. What are the problems? For us, this is a doorway into many areas in the Russian Federation. Especially since decisions seem to have already been taken. Where is the slowdown? At a meeting with Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, we will discuss these issues if someone is dragging their feet there,” he continued.
Another topic of the report was the proposed construction of a high-speed railway line.
“Next, the high-speed railway line, the Moscow–Minsk train to Brest. This is very important for us. You, as an industrial specialist, what do you see here? Is it realistic or not? Especially since this eastern, Moscow-bound direction is now in particularly high demand among our people. And a number of other issues concerning the embassy and our presence in Moscow and the Russian Federation. Your impressions, your opinion?” he said.
Rahozhnik, for his part, congratulated Lukashenka on the New Year, to which the Belarusian leader said that 2026 would be a very important year.
“A very important year for us is beginning. We must not fail 2026 under any circumstances. The Lord has been merciful to us: snow has fallen, covering the crops (we sowed quite well, and the seedlings are good). So here we are more or less fine across the entire republic. All that remains is for us to do our own work. Therefore, the new year for us is the beginning of new endeavors,” Lukashenka said.