2024-04-13 11:09:39
Belarus is very seriously working on joint space programs with Russia, and the two countries will continue to work together in the future. This was stated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting in the Kremlin with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and with Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky and the first Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevska, who recently returned from the International Space Station (ISS), reported TASS.
“We are working very seriously on joint (space) programs between Belarus and Russia. We are developing satellite programs together, since Soviet times we have kept the factories for the production of satellites. We are working together with the Russians. Now we are conducting manned flights together. I convinced Vladimir Vladimirovich (Putin) to let’s continue to work together in the future. Yesterday he supported me,” Lukashenko said.
In turn, Putin noted: “The optics are from you.” “Yes, does he want a question,” answered Lukashenko and added: “Actually, our optics are no worse than those of the West.” “It’s really good,” said the Russian president, BTA reported.
“We will fly together in space,” Lukashenko said. “We will work in the Training Center, in other places where our pilots prepare and train,” he noted.
The Belarusian president also announced that at the meeting with Putin earlier today, the two discussed security issues, but not only those related to the war in Ukraine.
“This is the most important issue for us. However, don’t think that we devoted the whole conversation to Ukraine. The media, especially in Russia, absolutely correctly assesses the situation in Ukraine and everything that is happening there. Not only shells, but also people are in short supply there “, Lukashenko said and added that this is precisely why the rating of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his words, has collapsed so much.
The Belarusian president said that he and Putin discussed economic issues in the Kremlin and agreed on Monday to have a meeting between the prime ministers of the two countries to discuss in detail and advance the necessary decisions.
Lukashenko announced that yesterday, at the invitation of Putin, he also met with the members of the Security Council of Russia.
“Yesterday, a meeting of the Security Council of Russia took place. Vladimir Vladimirovich (Putin) invited me there and I was able to talk with all the members of the council on some and other issues,” the Belarusian president said, specifying that he had spoken with the Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu, the director of the Foreign Intelligence Service (FIR) Sergey Naryshkin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. “I also maintain good relations with the (Russian) parliamentary leaders. That is why I was able to discuss with them issues of mutual interest,” Lukashenko added.