Lukashenko: Belarus and Russia in the same boat

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that Belarus and Russia are 'in the same boat' and should rely on their own technologies and import substitution programs. He emphasized that sanctions are not an obstacle if the focus is on domestic resources. 'We are in the same boat. Therefore, as we with Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin have decided, we must focus on our own, sanctions or no sanctions—we must focus on our own,' Lukashenko said.

Putin and Lukashenko noted that joint efforts in the microelectronics industry have demonstrated that Belarus and Russia are capable of developing products in demand for both military and civilian equipment. The president noted that many old Soviet technologies, previously abandoned and discarded in favor of Western ones, are now alive again and can be used to strengthen technological independence.

During his speech, Lukashenko emphasized the need to jointly address problems with the Russian president and called on regional governors and enterprise leaders to support local technologies to ensure independence in key areas.

Context

As early as 1999, Belarus and Russia signed an agreement on a union state, providing for coordination in the fields of economy and science. Since then, the two countries have strengthened cooperation in import substitution and high technologies.