Lukashenko and Putin, met on Valaam Island (Lake Ladoga) in Russia’s Karelia

After that Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin made brief statements for mass media about the agenda of the forthcoming talks.

The Russian leader noted that such meetings represent an opportunity to discuss current affairs in relations between the two countries. Belarus-Russia trade turnover has exceeded $50 billion. “There are plenty of projects in very important and promising areas. Naturally, a lot of issues always emerge considering this volume. We will have an opportunity to discuss all these matters,” he said.

“We will sacrifice the weekend for the sake of discussion,” Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked.

He also thanked his Russian counterpart for the good tradition of meeting on Valaam Island every year.

Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested building a Belarusian church at the Valaam Monastery.

“While flying in, I thought that we’ve established a good tradition [to meet on Valaam Island] every year. We are representatives of two Orthodox peoples,” the President said. “This church already feels like home. On the way in, we noticed that the Smolensk hermitage is wonderful. But there is no Belarusian hermitage.”

“This belongs to both of us,” Vladimir Putin stressed.

Nevertheless, Aleksandr Lukashenko proposed to build a small Belarusian church on Valaam Island: “We’ll think about it. There’s enough space here to build a small church. Let’s consider it, as the path has already been paved.”

“Sure. With pleasure,” the Russian leader replied.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also noted that many Belarusians visit Valaam Island: “We share the same faith: Orthodoxy. So thank you for establishing such a beautiful tradition,” he said.

The Presidents answered questions of reporters. The questions focused primarily on the state of combat operations in Ukraine, prospects of the peaceful resolution, and the approaches of the parties to this matter, the common policy against sanctions, ways to bolster the security of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, and the deployment of Russian missile systems Oreshnik [hazelnut] in Belarus.

Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin have reaffirmed plans to deploy Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus by the end of the year.

“The thing is that although they are specific people and rush all the time, the military people wanted to deploy Oreshnik [missiles] in Belarus sometime next year. Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] said plainly that we have to finish most of the processes – construction, creation, and so on – this year. Are we still on track?” the Belarusian leader said.

“We are,” Vladimir Putin confirmed.

“We have made the first batch-produced Oreshnik complex. The first batch-produced missile. And it has been delivered to the army. Now the series is operational,” the Russian President noted.

He also informed that Belarusian and Russian military specialists had chosen the location for future positions and work is now in progress to prepare them. “We will put the matter to rest by the end of the year most likely,” Vladimir Putin said.

“We don’t jump. We are doing it calmly. There is no need to rush ahead,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.

He remarked that it is rather simple to build the positions but it is necessary to realize other steps as well, including defending these positions.

“Everything goes according to plan for us,” Vladimir Putin stressed.

In conclusion Aleksandr Lukashenko urged everyone not to worry about security.

The heads of state were asked about the Western sanctions and potential changes to their current counter-sanctions strategy.

“We’ve already changed everything we needed to. If someone has closed a door on us – there are many open doors in the world. Both Russia and Belarus have made a decisive pivot. I believe time will pass, and the world will come to appreciate what we’ve done. This would have been unimaginable in the early 2020s – yet we did it. We live, and we will go on living. No one in this world will succeed in bringing us to our knees. We are fully determined to defend our interests,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

The President emphasized that Russia is a treasure trove of mineral resources and technologies. However, time is needed to conclusively prove to all doubters what the two countries can achieve together.

Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that during his recent meeting with Belarusian diplomats, he told them to act as if there are no sanctions and there’s no point discussing them. “Sanctions represent opportunities. I believe Russia operates the same way as it has an even better understanding of this issue. We have always stood together and always will. Don’t worry about these sanctions,” the President said.