Negotiations with Putin, Valaam, and informal communication. The results of Lukashenko's super-saturated business trip

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko concluded his working visit to Russia on July 25, having arrived there on July 22. BELTA's report covers the head of state's extremely busy schedule, details, and outcomes of the presidential trip.

These days included both official negotiations between the heads of state and informal communication, as well as a joint visit to attractions in Kronstadt and a monastery on Valaam Island.

However, Alexander Lukashenko's business discussions were not limited to his Russian counterpart. The head of state's work began from the very first minutes on fraternal Russian soil. He was met at the airport by the governors of the Leningrad Region and St. Petersburg. A brief but substantive conversation was held with each of them. Especially since there are many work-related issues. By the way, last week, at a meeting with the President in Minsk, the issue of using Russian ports and developing domestic port infrastructure for cargo transshipment was considered. And Russia's northern capital is precisely the main hub for Belarus in this regard.

Why the decision to meet on Sunday

The recent meeting between the leaders of the two countries was planned in advance, and there is nothing extraordinary or conspiratorial about Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin deciding to meet specifically on Sunday, July 23. It was convenient, and the presidents' schedules aligned that way.

"Alexander Grigoryevich, as agreed, we are meeting today...", - the Russian leader said at the beginning of the meeting. said the Russian leader at the beginning of the meeting.

The President of Belarus remarked: "We agreed half a year ago."

"That's true. Exactly. We agreed a long time ago, - agreed Vladimir Putin. - We are meeting today in St. Petersburg. The weather is good, it's Sunday today, but we always have something to talk about."

Right at the beginning of the negotiations, the heads of state also announced their intention not to limit themselves to one day, but to work together on July 24 as well, in order to thoroughly consider the entire range of issues.

An interesting point is that Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin arrived together for negotiations at the Konstantinovsky Palace. The President of Russia was driving, and he picked up the head of the Belarusian state. This format is not new for the heads of state; they have practiced it before. For example, in October 2018, Alexander Lukashenko invited Vladimir Putin to his small homeland, in the agro-town of Alexandria in the Shklovsky district. Instead of the traditional executive car for heads of state, a modernized GAZ-69 car from the 1960s was chosen then. Alexander Lukashenko was driving.

What the Presidents Discussed

The open part of the negotiations between the heads of state on July 23 was loud and is still widely discussed.

"At the beginning of our conversation, I would like to note that all our plans are being implemented, and even at a better pace than we expected," the Russian leader emphasized. "All our plans for the construction of the Union State are being fully realized, and we are moving confidently in these directions. Trade turnover is growing. Everything is moving at least, let's say modestly, satisfactorily. We will also discuss regional security issues, of course."

In his opening remarks, Alexander Lukashenko touched upon many issues, including the progress of the special military operation and the successes of the Russian military, the failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, and the increased military activity of NATO in Poland, as well as the West's plans to dismember Ukraine. One of the most resonant and discussed statements was the account of the "tourist" aspirations of Wagner PMC members, who would not mind taking an "excursion" to Warsaw and Rzeszów.

Another important topic was the plans for developing economic cooperation between Belarus and Russia. Alexander Lukashenko proposed instructing the governments of the two countries to develop a relevant long-term plan. "The essence is to rely on our own strengths. We will not bend to anyone. We have enough brains. We have more than enough resources. And we need to build a development plan for our Fatherland. As I say: two states, one Fatherland. And we can do it. But the main forces have been here, in Russia, since ancient times. And if our governments develop such a plan, it will be good," said the head of state.

"The economy is the foundation. If there is an economy, we will solve everything else," emphasized the Belarusian leader.

The Importance of the Informal Part of the Meeting

The agenda of the official part of the meeting was extensive, but it lasted relatively short. The presidents quickly moved on to the informal part. In our time, the most serious issues are discussed in this format. And this was the most important component of the trip.

The leaders of the countries communicated in the afternoon on Sunday, on Monday, combining it with a trip to Valaam, and even on Tuesday morning, July 25, before Alexander Lukashenko's departure.

Officials responsible for various areas were on the line via a selector. This is also common practice. However, presidents mainly communicated one-on-one.

Where the Presidents Visited

Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin visited two islands together. On Sunday, after the official part of the negotiations, they arrived in Kronstadt, which, as is known, is located on Kotlin Island in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland, approximately 30 km from the center of Saint Petersburg.

The President of Russia suggested visiting Kronstadt. This item was added to the program a few days before the visit.

The heads of state first visited the museum and historical park "Island of Forts". There, they were shown the main museum exhibit – the first Soviet nuclear submarine K-3 "Leninsky Komsomolets". It was transported to the Naval Glory Museum building in Kronstadt from the Murmansk region in the autumn of 2022.

Another point of the presidents' joint informal program was a visit to the stauropegial Nikolsky Naval Cathedral in Kronstadt, also known as the Naval Cathedral of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. This Orthodox church is the last and largest of the naval cathedrals built during the Russian Empire. It was constructed from 1903 to 1913. Since May 2013, it has been considered the main church of the Russian Navy.

Kronstadt is, of course, a very symbolic place. And although the Naval Glory Museum is still under construction, it is said that Alexander Lukashenko liked it very much.

The next day, the presidents visited the Valaam Transfiguration Monastery together, located on Valaam Island (Lake Ladoga) in Karelia. In the cathedral, they paid homage to the relics of Saints Sergius and Herman, the founders of the monastery.

The heads of state also visited the St. Vladimir Skete, where the Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is located.

The heads of state last visited Valaam in July 2019. They had been to Valaam in July 2019.

Valaam Monastery is one of the most revered in Russia. The monastery is visited by over 100,000 pilgrims and tourists annually.

Source: belta.by