Lukashenko expects Belarus-Russia relations to be stronger after PMC Wagner situation

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Why should our relations be weakened as a result? We resolved the problem together. We've resolved the most serious problem for Russia. If Putin elevated the ‘Justice March' to the level of a presidential statement, an address to the nation… God forbid this turmoil in Russia, as he described it… Everyone would have felt the heat. But we definitely would have. It was impossible for us to stay out of it. I understood it right away. This is why I got involved in this process. As a result, we played a certain role. And he and I prevented this turmoil. Was it beneficial? It was. Then why should our relations worsen? Yes, I see that some opinion shapers in Russia are a bit jealous now. There may be something else, too. I take it into account. It is unavoidable. This is how the situation has turned out to be.”

“The role of Belarus and, in particular, my role have not been detrimental to the Russian Federation. In his second statement, in his address Putin mentioned it. I hope, I think and today I am convinced that on the contrary, our relations will be even stronger. Although they are already as strong as they get. We have had good relations for a long time. We jointly tackle serious issues, which emerge in our relations and around us one way or another. If some tensions arise, we have established channels of communication. We can have a talk within minutes. We can meet and discuss any problem,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.