Lukashenko names Russia's Far East natural wonder

Belarusian head of state has long talked about his desire to visit the Far East. The matter was also discussed in September 2020 at the meeting with Governor of Primorsky Krai Oleg Kozhemyako. Then Aleksandr Lukashenko said that Russian President Vladimir Putin often speaks well of Primorsky Krai during their meetings. “He already talks more about Primorsky Krai than about St. Petersburg. I told him that once. He insists on my visit there to see what has been done lately. I've already told my children that we'll choose the time for a visit next year. Lake Baikal, Altai, Primorye, Sakhalin and Kamchatka - we need to visit and see this wonder of nature,” the president said.

It was also noted then that one of the reasons to visit these Russian regions could be the participation of Belarusian builders in the construction of Vostochny Cosmodrome. “I would like to be there, if we agree. I would like to see how our builders will start working there and see the region,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

A few days ago, the Russian president introduced in the State Duma a bill that allows the State Space Corporation Roscosmos to engage citizens and companies from Belarus in the construction of the cosmodrome.

As BelTA has earlier reported, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet at Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur Oblast, Russia on 12 April. “The leaders will together take stock of the progress made in the construction of the cosmodrome and meet with the personnel. They are also set to award cosmonauts. The two presidents will offer a joint press conference,” Rossiya 1 TV channel informs.

The two heads of state will also discuss the situation in Ukraine: “Belarus would like to be one of the security guarantors. Moscow supports the idea.”

Additional details of Aleksandr Lukashenko's upcoming visit to Russia were provided by the Telegram channel Pul Pervogo. “Tomorrow Lukashenko will go to the Russian Far East. He is set not only to visit Vostochny Cosmodrome (where he is expected to hold talks with Putin on Tuesday) but also to visit Vladivostok. He has promised Governor of Primorsky Krai Oleg Kozhemyako to come visit him there. They've been friends for many years,” the Telegram channel said.

“Although you are geographically far away, we do not view Vladivostok as some distant city. We often think of our joint homeland from Brest to Vladivostok. So you live in our homeland, and we will always develop cooperation in this direction,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the meeting with the governor of Primorsky Krai in 2020.

Aleksandr Lukashenko announced his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Security Council meeting on 7 April. The head of state wondered whether Belarusian-Russian agreements on mutual support due to the tough pressure of the West are being implemented effectively and what additional measures are necessary. “We will meet with the leadership of Russia, the president of Russia soon. I'd like to know what problems we should resolve at the level of the presidents,” he said.