Belarus and Russia will always be together, Aliaksandr Lukashenka said on Wednesday as he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The visit of Vladimir Putin to Belarus on the country's Independence Day is symbolic, Mr Lukashenka stressed. "It symbolizes our unity. It says that we were together and we will always be,” state-run news agency BelTA quotes the Belarusian President as saying. “As I said once when I was criticized by some people: do not worry. If need arises, we will stand shoulder to shoulder and will defend ourselves, we will fight back together as we once did,” he added.
The Belarusian leader thanked Vladimir Putin for the visit and for the assistance and support provided to the country and to the economy. "We do not forget about this. I think that both Russia and Belarus are gradually overcoming the consequences of the global crisis. We will stand up on our feet and I am sure we will be even stronger economically," he said.
On the same day, Mr Lukashenka could not help criticising Europe. Making the statement at the opening of the new premises of the Belarusian State Museum of Great Patriotic he expressed regret that 'instead of gratitude for the Great Victory the West uses high-handed dictate and sanctions'. “One would assume that Western nations should appreciate the contribution of our nations to the Great Victory, however, instead of gratitude we get high-handed dictate and sanctions,” he noted.
