Vladimir Putin during a press conference on the results of Russian-Belarusian negotiations in expanded format at the Independence Palace in Minsk. Photo: Valery Sharifulin/POOL/TASS
Negotiations between Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko concluded in Minsk. At the end of the meeting, the politicians went to the press and answered questions from the media. Below are the main statements from the country leaders:
THE REAL OBJECTIVE OF THE SWITZERLAND CONFERENCE
A conference will be held in Switzerland in the summer at which representatives of Western countries plan to discuss the future of the Ukrainian conflict. This is what Putin thinks about it:
– Of course, we are aware that the legitimacy of the current Head of State (Zelensky – Ed.) has ended. I believe that one of the objectives of the announced conference, the conference in Switzerland, is precisely for the Western community, sponsor of the current Kiev regime, to confirm the legitimacy of the current head of state or the one who is no longer active. “said the president.
Vladimir Vladimirovich added that it is necessary to examine in the Constitution of Ukraine “which government bodies have the right to be extended without electoral procedures.”
NEGOTIATIONS WITH Kyiv
The Russian leader reiterated that we are ready to resume negotiations with Ukraine. But we do not intend to do it from scratch, but taking into account past agreements.
– Now we see that talks have resumed about the need to return to negotiations. Well, let them return, but not because one of the parties wants to, but based on the agreements of a fundamental nature reached during the negotiations in Belarus and Turkey and based on the current realities that have developed on earth,” Putin said.
Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko at the Independence Palace in Minsk. Photo: Valery Sharifulin/POOL/TASS
COMMON DEFENSE SPACE
The Russian leader casually mentioned the military unification of Moscow and Minsk.
“Taking into account the tense situation on the external borders of the Union State, during the negotiations the issues of forming a single defense space were discussed in detail,” Vladimir Vladimirovich noted.
This is not the first time that there has been talk of a common defense space. The term was heard back in 2022. It is such a close cooperation between the armies that it seems as if the troops of both countries became one whole. In a sense, a single defense space already exists: although Belarus does not participate in hostilities in Ukraine, it provides all other support to Russia.
Let us remember that Russian tactical nuclear weapons are deployed in Belarus.
NUCLEAR EXERCISES
Now Belarus participates in our nuclear exercises.
“We are not doing anything special, we are preparing, we are training, we have to be prepared.” The world is unstable, dangerous, we cannot avoid this blow, as happened in the middle of the last century. We won’t allow it, they should know that. But we are not aggravating the situation, but we do not need war, today we are only talking about peaceful prospects,” Lukashenko said at a press conference.
GENERAL ELECTRICITY AND GAS
One of the fundamental conditions for the creation of the Union State of Minsk is a single market for gas, oil and electricity with Russia. Then the Belarusians could buy our resources at domestic Russian prices. We will accept it little by little: the budget losses will be notable.
But, apparently, the creation of a single market, although not quickly, is getting closer.
– Regarding the creation of a common market (energy – Ed.), our work is also advancing. There are slightly different approaches among specialists, but I believe that when the common market begins to function, we will agree on all components of the proposed solutions,” Putin said.
DETAIL IN RAISI’S DEATH
Vladimir Vladimirovich drew attention to a detail of the death of the Iranian president.
– The companions flew in two Russian helicopters, in my opinion. On Russian-made helicopters in the same conditions, in the same corridor. “We arrived without problems,” said the Russian leader.
