Belarus has been and will always be with Russia

Trade turnover of $0.5bn is priority

President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko met with Ilya Seredyuk, Governor of Kemerovo Region — Kuzbass of the Russian Federation

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The Head of State warmly welcomed the guest, saying that, “If you think that Siberia is something foreign to us, you are mistaken. It is native, close and understandable to us, especially since there are thousands of Belarusians living there today. Some of them went there willingly or otherwise, and I believe they do not create any big problems for you. That is, Siberia is not far away for us. Kuzbass, being the pearl of Siberia, is certainly close to us.”
The Belarusian leader specifically pointed out that the mutual trade volume between Belarus and Kemerovo Region decreased compared to the peak levels of previous years, 

“I think that maintaining a trade turnover of $0.5bn is achievable and should be a priority. I understand the difficulties and challenges that everyone is talking about today. You know, there is always something to refer to. Yet, if we aim to overcome these obstacles, we can definitely succeed.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned that Kuzbass serves as a testing site for Belarusian BelAZ trucks and other equipment provided to the region, “We deliver the latest BelAZ vehicles to your coal mines and mining firms, where they are being tested, including unmanned and gas-powered models. We can liaise with you in this regard.”
During the meeting, Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled his visit to the Russian region in the late 1990s and his meeting with the then head of the region, Aman Tuleyev, “We discussed our problems quite frankly. We were very friendly, finding common ground on many topics. We talked about the high prices of the equipment we supplied, and he mentioned that it was quite costly, being twice as expensive for them as in Belarus. I responded that this issue could be resolved quite easily, saying that I would provide him with equipment at Belarusian prices, based on his orders, enabling him to sell it to whoever he chooses, keeping the profit from the sales. However, I expect no complaints about this. I do not believe we have completely settled these issues today. Intermediaries still exist, but they should not be dishonest. You know where their profits go, and they often impose excessive charges. If there is a need for it (we maintain strict control over prices, and all major companies trading with Kuzbass are state-owned and fully regulated, understanding the goals of our partnership), we can manage this if you can handle it from your side.”
In his discussion with the Kuzbass delegation, the Head of State highlighted an issue that he believes requires immediate attention. It refers to the efficient operation of multi-brand centres of Belarusian machinery in various regions of Russia.

“I am referring to the multi-brand centres we have established in Kuzbass. While BelAZ trucks are the primary focus of sales, all the Belarus-made equipment is represented there, including MAZ, MTZ, Belkommunmash, and agricultural trailers,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The Belarusian leader highlighted the importance of expanding co-operation with neighbouring regions by partnering with Kuzbass, “Let’s think together about the ways to enhance the centre’s capacity. I emphasise once again: we are ready for this. We are eager to trade with your companies that purchase machinery and other goods from Belarus, offering certain preferences, including leasing options.”
At the same time, Aleksandr Lukashenko fundamentally focused on an important point: the necessity for guarantees regarding timely payments. “We lost tens of millions of dollars in Russia when we worked with unfamiliar companies lacking guarantees; they went bankrupt and vanished, leading the general prosecutors of Russia and Belarus to search for them across the country to hold them accountable. This cannot happen again. That is why we need guarantees,” the President asserted.
The Belarusian side is also ready to offer Russian partners a wide range of passenger vehicles: trolleybuses, buses, electric buses. In terms of agricultural machinery, the republic is also ready to supply Kuzbass with all types of equipment, ranging from sowing to harvesting. “They are not inferior and sometimes can even surpass their foreign counterparts,” the President of Belarus said.
Municipal machinery, food supply, seed production, potato growing, and livestock breeding are areas that can also be beneficial for bilateral co-operation.

“The variety of relationships is extensive. You should know that if we are able to lend a hand to your region in some way, we are always ready to do it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.

During his meeting with the President of Belarus, Ilya Seredyuk, Governor of Kemerovo Region — Kuzbass of the Russian Federation, shared his impressions of the republic.
It is Ilya Seredyuk’s first visit to Belarus, the delegation spent several days in the country and managed to get acquainted with the work of Belarusian enterprises. According to the Russian guest, Belarusian communal and agricultural machinery is very actively used in the region. “We have about 10 percent of Belarusian-made combine harvesters, and just yesterday [on June 22nd], we got acquainted with new products. There are prospects for increasing the supply of this equipment,” he said.
The Russian region is also actively co-operating with MAZ: the parties are discussing joint projects that would contribute to the increase of sales of Belarusian equipment not only to Kuzbass, but also other territories of Russia.
The Kemerovo Region delegation members also visited BelAZ — a company that has been a long-time partner of Kuzbass.

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During his meeting with Chairman of Russia’s Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko thanked him for close co-operation with the Investigative Committee of Belarus

At the very beginning of the meeting, Mr. Bastrykin presented the Head of State with the Medal of Russia’s Investigative Committee: 80 Years of the Victory of the Soviet People in the Great Patriotic War.
“Belarusians, Russians, the entire Soviet people won this war. The Belarusian people made a huge contribution to this Victory. Allow me to present you with this medal in good memory and in honour of those achievements,” the Russian guest noted.
The Belarusian leader warmly thanked the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia. Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed particular gratitude for the open co-operation of the Russian department with Belarus’ Investigative Committee,

“You consistently assist us with all our issues. Regardless of the inquiries we make, you are always eager to respond and provide support. This is incredibly valuable. If we had similar co-operation with all departments and officials in Russia, we wouldn’t have any problems at all. Thank you very much. You set a great example for civil servants in Russia and Belarus.”

Addressing the Russian guest, the Head of State noted that the times now are challenging, “You understand this better than me, you feel it, because you are deeply involved in many processes, into everything. I see that you have been assigned work in the liberated territories. Moreover, the terrorist aspirations of our enemies are quite serious. This responsibility for investigating certain crimes within Russia now rests on you. I want you to know that during these tough times, we have been, are, and will always stand by you. You can count on us. Naturally, we do it carefully. We do not immediately draw our sabres. But if we draw them, then we will fight like Russians, alongside Russian people, defending our common Fatherland. There’s no escaping this, we have one Fatherland, there won’t be another. Thank you for all the good you do for Belarus, for our unity, for the integration of our states.”
On June 20th, 2025, the delegation of Russia’s Investigative Committee attended the 5th international scientific and practical conference Investigative Activities: Science, Education, Practice. The forum focused on contemporary developments in criminal law and procedure, challenges related to forensic support during preliminary investigations, and enhancements in forensic expertise and operational investigative work in pre-trial criminal cases.

Based on materials of sb.by and belta.by