Opinion: Lukashenko sets the record straight regarding Sochi meeting with Putin

“It is obvious that we will see closer integration in a number of areas, at least in the military and political sphere. The president said he suggested that Belarusian and Russian pilots launch joint patrol of airspace, which, in fact, removes the issue of a Russian military base in Belarus which emerged some time ago. A number of big economic projects were also on the agenda of the Sochi meeting, for example, Gazprom's possible involvement in the construction of a new plant at Grodno Azot. The information about for Mikhail Mishustin to visit Belarus to share experience in tax administration, the synchronization of the Belarusian tax system with the Russian one was also interesting,” Aleksei Dzermant said. “We can see that, as the president said, the integration with Russia will be furthered in all the main key areas, and the Russian president supported these proposals, especially the training of Belarusian servicemen in new methods of warfare and the use of new weapons,” the expert said.

Aleksei Dzermant stressed that numerous fake news were refuted during the meeting - the real agenda is far from what often appears in the information space. It is more realistic, practical and, most importantly, more useful for both the states.

“Although the talks were focused on the bilateral relations of Belarus and Russia, we should understand that our Eurasian allies and partners are closely monitoring the developments in our union. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan have a real and genuine interest in what is happening in the union. Real engagement in the union serves as a driver for the Eurasian integration,” the expert said.