Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin hold bilateral meeting in Volgograd

The Russian President thanked his counterpart for visiting the Stalingrad land on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. “We are very much looking forward to see you in Moscow on the day of the main celebrations on May, 9. I know that you have decided to have your ceremonial parade also march along Red Square. Thank you very much,” Vladimir Putin said.

“Thank you for inviting us to the parade. We couldn't help but come,” responded Alexander Lukashenko.

The Belarusian President noted that he would traditionally attend the parade on Red Square, followed by the parade in Minsk. “It's okay that we, two countries, two presidents, are committed to this. We are not cramped, we are not bored. We are doing our own thing. Please, whoever who wants can join,” he added.

Speaking about the visit to the memorial sites in Volgograd, Alexander Lukashenko noted that he had already visited this city in Soviet times and as president, too. “A very impressive place. It is impossible to go here without shivering,” he emphasised. “When you stand at this monument (on Mamayev Kurgan. – Ed.), by the way, we were there with you, it is a grandiose thing. There is no way to convey it. I am grateful that thanks to your invitation I am here again, on our sacred land, where Belarusians, Russians and all the peoples of the Soviet Union stood to the death”.

The Belarusian President said that as a historian, he was very much imbued with the history of the Stalingrad Battle.

Alexander Lukashenko urged not to be surprised that the presidents of Belarus and Russia meet frequently. “We are not pushing anyone away. We are ready to communicate. If Emomali Sharipovich (the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon. – Ed.) agreed to come to our village when we met in March (we are talking about informal communication after the official visit of the Belarusian President to Russia. – Ed.). e had a pleasure to sit and discuss general issues”.

The Belarusian leader invites other countries to come and talk together, to discuss how to develop relations.

“We have an opportunity to talk about current affairs, and we have plenty of them. Suffice it to say that our results in trade and economic ties alone are simply outstanding – over $50 billion in trade turnover. According to your statistics, it is even a bit higher,” the Russian President said.

Vladimir Putin also said it was necessary to discuss further development and industrial cooperation expansion between two countries, including joint work in aircraft construction and the creation of unmanned aerial vehicles. “I would like to tell you what proposals we have. We are ready to build a plant together with your specialists and a relevant laboratory on unmanned aerial vehicles. First of all, this is very important for the economy and logistics. We have agreements on aircraft construction. You have managed to preserve part of the aviation industry. There is also enough to work on here. Both small aircraft and co-operation on medium-haul aircraft. We will also talk about other areas. Governments are constantly working on these issues, we are aware of what our colleagues are agreeing on,” Putin said.

Alexander Lukashenko agreed that there is a good practice to discuss relevant issues in order to encourage governments in their work, set a trend in bilateral relations, and facilitate the resolution of certain issues. “Thank you for our frequent calls to discuss urgent subjects. We really have a common understanding of the whole development process, the agenda of international relations is absolutely similar. We don't hide it, we don't twist it, we don't spin it,” added the Belarusian President.

During the meeting, Alexander Lukashenko also mentioned the using of "George" ribbons in Belarus.

The President reminded that in Belarus, in addition to the initiated by Russia “Immortal Regiment” procession and using this ribbon as a symbol, young people had earlier started an annual action “Belarus Remembers”. Both events are held simultaneously. “When you opened the procession “Immortal Regiment,” we in Belarus followed this path. But the youth in parallel with the St George ribbons and the procession of the regiment (initiated the action - Ed.) “Belarus Remembers.” And no one forbids the St George ribbons in any case,” stressed the Belarusian President. “Although I've been interested in history. I advise, here, let the historians give you all the information about the St George ribbon. We do not deny it. Although the history of the ribbon is peculiar,” stressed the Belarusian Leader.

“I don't see anything wrong in someone wanting a St George's ribbon. Someone wants to wear the “Belarus Remembers” signs (the symbol of the action. – Ed.). They are good together. Nobody is dividing anything there. Well, there’s always someone who need to make a noise,” - noted Alexander Lukashenko.

The Belarusian President advised his Russian counterpart not to pay attention to some negative statements in this regard.

“We have exactly the same ideas. You know our ideas, we know Russia's ones. We have one Fatherland, as I say, from Brest to Vladivostok,” the Belarusian President said. “Well, it happened not by our will that two states were formed here. And we must do everything to make our relationships in this Fatherland even closer than in a unitary state. And we are doing a lot”.

“I'm sure our children and other generations will still appreciate what we're doing here. And it is not easy for us. Both on the left and on the right, we are being attacked. And all our decisions are aimed at the unity of our peoples. It is very important on the eve of this bright date (the 80th anniversary of the Victory. – Ed.),” Alexander Lukashenko added.

Vladimir Putin, in his turn, agreed that the symbols may be slightly different, but the important thing is what is behind these symbols.

“The essence,” Alexander Lukashenko supported his counterpart.

“Behind these symbols is our common history, our present and our future. And we have it in common. Thank you very much for such a stand,” said Vladimir Putin.