Lukashenka: It Is Time to Return to the Practice of Belarus Being Responsible for Kaliningrad, St. Petersburg, the Moscow Region and Part of Moscow

Reform.news Editorial Team · 27 October 2026, 12:08

https://reform.news/en/lukashenka-it-is-time-to-return-to-the-practice-of-belarus-being-responsible-for-kaliningrad-st-petersburg-the-moscow-region-and-part-of-moscow/

Aliaksandr Lukashenka wants exclusive working arrangements in a number of Russian regions, primarily in the largest cities of the Russian Federation. He hinted at this during a meeting with St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov.

“It is time to return to the Soviet practice when Belarus was responsible for Kaliningrad, St. Petersburg, the Moscow Region and, in part, Moscow (it is enormous, especially now, and I think we would hardly be able to cope with such a huge volume). But these are the regions we should cooperate with first and foremost. Being responsible meant that everything that was unavailable in Leningrad and the region, especially in Kaliningrad, had to be produced and supplied by us,” Lukashenka said, according to his press service.

The remark was addressed to Russian Ambassador to Belarus Boris Gryzlov.

“We should hold up our cooperation with St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region as an example. It should be a model for our cooperation in general. Thank God, under your leadership of the city, we have managed to achieve this. We are making progress in this direction. You just need to speak more openly about where we are falling short. We will respond very quickly. This is very important to us.

You know our capabilities very well. Rest assured that we will deliver on everything we have promised. This applies to mechanical engineering, elevator repairs and food supplies. Everything Leningrad needs that we are capable of providing, we must deliver. I am very glad that the Russian president supports this approach, under which we must cooperate closely in this area.

Vorobyov was here recently. I can see that he is very keen on cooperation with us. But I have not forgotten that we have neighbors — Bryansk, Smolensk and Pskov. They are God-given neighbors. And if there is anything we can do to help, we will help them,” he said.

Lukashenka also added that he had instructed officials to monitor the needs of Russian regions.

“Dmitry Nikolayevich has been instructed to ensure that the government keeps these matters under control, including fuel supplies, other issues and security. If our help is needed, we will say so openly and provide it. These are not strangers to us. Everything is intertwined,” he continued.

Lukashenka recalled his recent meeting with the governor of the Bryansk Region, during which he suggested settling the question of whose Bryansk Region it was.

“I recently joked about this, and people started twisting my words, saying that I was practically demanding that Boris Vyacheslavovich hand over the Bryansk Region to me. No, I have absolutely no such intention. It is still unclear what will happen to these various borders in the near future, in a few years. Perhaps people will stop recognizing them altogether and will move freely around the world. God willing, may it be so, and may the Lord help us. So I am not fixated on whose land belongs to whom. Wherever people live, let them live there. There is no need to interfere. Human life will lead us where we need to go. That is why I understand that the people of Bryansk, Smolensk and Pskov (they are your neighbors, too, and are not strangers to you) are our people. Our doors are always open to them. We should keep those doors wide open and must support and help them,” he said.

Lukashenka once again emphasized the close ties between the people of Belarus and St. Petersburg.

“Our people are educated and intelligent. I always tell the Russian president that, if Belarusians resemble anyone very closely, it is the people of Leningrad. They are one and the same people. No people suffered more in the last war than Belarusians and the people of Leningrad,” he said.

Lukashenka also mentioned that he appoints officials responsible for developing cooperation with specific Russian regions. The history of World War II was also brought up. In this context, he noted that Beglov would visit the Brest Fortress during his trip.

“To bow our heads, as we say, and pay tribute to the heroes of the Brest Fortress is very important. This is a powerful example, Boris Vyacheslavovich, for our Ukrainian friends and comrades. Sooner or later, people will understand what they may lose and what they are losing in Ukraine. The Brest Fortress is an example: people of all backgrounds fought there. Most were Russians and Belarusians, Ukrainians were there too, and people from Central Asia also fought there. This part of your visit is very important for the present and the future,” he added.

During the meeting, Lukashenka also presented Beglov with the Order of Honor. The decree awarding the Russian official was signed yesterday. Beglov received the award for his significant personal contribution to the development of trade, economic and cultural ties and the strengthening of international cooperation between Belarus and Russia.

“This award is well deserved. Believe me, it is very difficult to receive an award from us. I have raised the question of this award twice, wondering whether we were giving him the right order. Vladimir Vladimirovich and I discussed it, and he said, ‘Yes, Beglov deserves the award. I agree,’” Lukashenka said, adding that no one could be awarded in this case without Putin’s consent.

“That is not good either. Perhaps Belarusians and Russians should move away from this practice. Why do we ask each other whom to award? If someone deserves it, they should receive the award. Otherwise, someone might block the awarding of the Russian ambassador to Belarus — imagine what would happen then…” Lukashenka continued.

“I got the hint,” Gryzlov replied.

“While we are in power, we need to resolve this issue, since it has already come up,” Lukashenka said.