Putin: Russia and Belarus are keen on establishing regional partnership in the face of sanctions

Moscow, (ST) – Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that his country is working with Belarus to ensure the stability of their economies and strengthen their immunity in the face of the negative effects of Western sanctions.

Sputnik quoted Putin as saying in a speech to the participants in the Forum of the Regions of Russia and Belarus: Our two countries are doing their best to ensure the stability of their economies and their immunity from the negative effects of Western sanctions, and it is difficult to achieve success in this matter without a close regional partnership.

Putin said that in light of the unfavorable external conditions and the refusal of a number of Western countries to cooperate and close their markets, the Russian and Belarusian regions are working intensively to develop mutual trade, which helps maintain production and refocus on deliveries to consumers in the two countries.

Putin pointed out that Belarus is Russia’s first trading partner among the members of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the fourth in the world, and last year the trade between the two sides increased by 12 percent, to exceed three trillion rubles. He stressed the need to continue this positive trend.

The Russian President praised the joint regional initiatives aimed at increasing cooperation in the scientific, educational and cultural fields, preserving common historical memory and combating attempts to falsify history.

Raghda Sawas