Strong focus on development
The first post-election visit of a Head of State always has a landmark character. According to the protocol, the country is determined based on a number of criteria, the key among which is the level of relations. In this regard, our President's visit to Russia means that it is with that country that we have the highest status of cooperation. Indeed, only Belarus and Russia have managed to establish a strategic alliance in our region. And there are practically no such examples in the world.
Alexander Lukashenko's official visit to Moscow was represented by two tracks — conceptual and political-economic. The President once again, in the status of the elected Head of State, reiterated that the most important achievement in the relations between our countries is the preservation of friendly, fraternal feelings between Belarusians and Russians. The close ties between the nations have become even stronger. This means that Belarus and Russia made the right choice when they launched the integration process in the 90s. However, other parameters are also important today, namely a firm focus on development. The leitmotif of 2025 in Belarusian-Russian relations was defined as development through security, coherence, cooperation, and strengthening of value bonds.
The Union State is in focus. The Presidents of Belarus and Russia noted their satisfaction with the dynamics of ongoing projects within the framework of the Union State. It can be provided only if there is a high-quality database that has been carefully preserved in Belarus and Russia.
Import substitution projects in industries such as automobile and machine tool manufacturing, agricultural machinery, microelectronics, civil aviation, and energy are being implemented today on a serious industrial basis and, more importantly, with competent workforce. The plans include artificial intelligence and the creation of digital ecosystems. The President of Belarus stressed that the implementation of a unified industrial, technological, scientific and technical policy remains a priority.
The restoration of dialogue and trade and economic relations with Western companies meets the foreign policy principles of Belarus and Russia. However, a return to past patterns of interaction is simply impossible. The previous conditions of the global economic model do not meet the interests of Belarus and Russia. The start that was set by the economies of our countries represents a serious foundation for the formation of a new matrix of economic cooperation on a regional and global scale.
A friendly economy. On the foreign policy track, the President of Belarus emphasized the preservation of continuity, consistency and transparency of goals. Our country no longer needs to prove anything to anyone. The nature of our priorities has remained unchanged — this is the Russian direction. At the same time, our geographical location dictates the need for us to build relationships along a wide perimeter. Over the past five years, Belarus has proved that curtailing cooperation on one track always provides opportunities on another.
It is obvious that Vladimir Putin's appreciation of Belarusian efforts in the field of industrial and other cooperation would not be such if Belarus did not act as a reliable link in the chain of Russia's relations, and sometimes stabilizing the entire system of its external contacts.
World experience has convincingly proved that there is even a "friendly economy." It means willingness to help each other in any circumstances. However, to launch it, political will alone is not enough; it is necessary to build a platform of friendly relations between peoples. This difficult task was solved within the framework of the Union State.
Not to lose the Great Victory. The mutually respectful cultural and humanitarian dialogue between Belarusians and Russians cannot be swayed by any external pressure. 2025 will be a landmark year in this regard. The Presidents of both countries emphasized the special status of celebrating the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Unlike many other countries in the world, Belarus has never questioned the outcome of this war and has always clearly stated the reasons for its outbreak. In the current conditions, when revisionism is on the rise and historical facts are aligned with the logic of modern demands of politicians, the partnership between Belarus and Russia on the path of defending Victory is of lasting importance for future generations.
The Belarusian-Russian formula of peace. The common expression "clock reconciliation" during the meeting of the presidents of Belarus and Russia consolidated a new reality not only in the relations between the two countries. Two points of view, two views of the world were presented — a great power and a state aimed at further development, which are based on national interests and prove that an alliance between them is possible.
The sooner the world gets rid of the fumes of geopolitics and takes up issues of development, well-being and comfort of its own citizens, environmental preservation, the faster the level of confrontation will decrease. The world should rely on the demands of citizens, not opportunistic politicians.