Key takeaways from Putin’s meeting with heads of international news agencies

A meeting with heads of international news agencies is a traditional part of the SPIEF program. This year, the conference featured the heads of TASS, BelTA, Associated Press, Reuters, Xinhua and other news agencies.

On Russia-Belarus relations and sanctions pressure
The Union State of Belarus and Russia will succeed, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in response to a question from BelTA Director General Irina Akulovich on whether the two countries had Plan B if the pressure of sanctions continued rising.

Vladimir Putin said: “The first option is Plan A. It stipulates what and how we should do in order to develop our relations and our economies. Then Plan B. If something doesn’t work out, refer to Plan A. We will manage to accomplish everything. There is no doubt about that.”

The Russian leader added that mutual trade testified to a vibrant development of relations between the two countries. “Belarus-Russia trade has reached $50 billion. It is a serious figure. The growth continues. Including thanks to manufacturing cooperation,” Vladimir Putin said.

He also noted that Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko had retained a number of industries that became highly demanded in condition of sanctions. “Aleksandr Grigoryevich [Lukashenko] has preserved some economy branches, demand for which has never been higher than now. Particularly in conditions of tough sanctions. Including enterprises operating in the field of microelectronics. Certainly, it is necessary to achieve different figures. A lot needs to be done. And other countries spent decades doing it. But we still have an opportunity to make a good step. A fast, powerful large step. Together,” Vladimir Putin said.
 
Moscow and Minsk also have opportunities for cooperation in various areas, including aircraft production, Vladimir Putin added.