Conflicts: Putin and Lukashenko: Western sanctions “illegal”

conflicts
Putin and Lukashenko: Western sanctions “illegal”

Under pressure from Western sanctions, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko want to further expand their cooperation.

“It’s difficult with the sanctions,” said Lukashenko, who was criticized as “Europe’s last dictator”, on Friday in the Kremlin. “But they won’t be able to suffocate us.” Together they would find ways out of the situation. Putin, who hugged Lukashenko dearly despite the corona pandemic, again condemned the punitive measures as “illegal” and a violation of international law.

Belarus and Russia are subject to EU and US sanctions for their policies, which are controversial in the West, and for numerous human rights violations. In view of the growing tensions with the West, including over Ukraine, Putin said that Russia and Belarus would have to brace themselves for further sanctions. “The sanctions will be introduced in any case,” said the Kremlin chief.

The West will always find an “excuse” for sanctions to slow down development in both countries. “It’s nothing but unfair competition.” According to Putin, the pressure of sanctions has long been helping to strengthen Russia’s economy from within. The West takes care of its own advantages when it comes to sanctions policy.

Lukashenko spoke of an “economic war” that the West was waging against Belarus and Russia. To expand their cooperation, he and Putin agreed, for example, to align their energy markets and customs and tax guidelines. The world is open today and offers many opportunities to orient yourself in other directions, said Lukashenko. Belarus and Russia have been expanding their relations with China, among other things, for years.

dpa