On the digital ruble, de-dollarization, and reserve currency. Lukashenko met with the head of the Central Bank of Russia
On May 29, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko held a meeting with Chairperson of the Central Bank of Russia Elvira Nabiullina, a BELTA correspondent reports.
"You are a universally recognized figure. Even our enemies admit that Elvira Nabiullina quickly got a handle on economic issues in Russia and currency problems, especially under sanctions. I am almost quoting our enemies. Therefore, I would ask you to also focus on the issue – much is being said about it – of the digital ruble. What it is, how we will move in this direction. But the most important thing for me is still the reserve currency," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.
The Head of State noted that de-dollarization of the international economy is currently underway. In this regard, he inquired about the Central Bank Chairperson's opinion on how deep this process has gone. "Naturally, new reserve currencies will emerge. I am constantly pushing my colleagues that we need to run, run, run now so as not to fall behind. Can we run here, or is it a long process?" the President clarified.
Alexander Lukashenko also invited Elvira Nabiullina to consider a number of other issues that had previously been discussed between the parties. "I would gladly listen to you on the problems that the central banks of both Belarus and Russia are facing today. And if there are any issues, please let us know, and we will work on them to resolve them," said the Head of State.
"We meet twice a year on the currency union (referring to the Interbank Currency Council of the National Bank of Belarus and the Central Bank of Russia. – BELTA’s note). Not only in Minsk, we meet in different places. We discuss all issues, what you have mentioned," Elvira Nabiullina noted.
The Central Bank Chairperson arrived in Belarus the day before. According to her, she was impressed by the nature and well-kept appearance of the country. "I just arrived a little earlier yesterday. And we drove around – it's amazing, of course. We looked at the fields – it's a delight," Elvira Nabiullina shared her impressions. "Everything is very well-kept, very beautiful. Everything is sown, everything is working. It's amazing, of course."
"It resembles your homeland (Elvira Nabiullina is from Ufa, the capital of Bashkortostan. – BELTA’s note). I always say: I fly in by plane, I approach your place – it's one and the same. The nature is identical," Alexander Lukashenko stated.