08:20 19/02/2022
The world will not be able to "suffocate us" with sanctions, said the Belarusian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, during a meeting with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, to discuss the expanded cooperation.
"It is difficult with sanctions," Lukashenko said, noting that the two countries will resolve the situation together.
"But they will not be able to drown us", he said.
Putin reiterated his opposition to the sanctions, which he called illegal, but said both countries should prepare for more.
"Sanctions will be imposed in any case. This is nothing but unfair competition,” he said.
Putin also said that sanctions pressure - which he said was part of a Western effort to strengthen its own economy - had helped strengthen Russia's economy, while Lukashenko noted that the two had agreed to cooperate more many by harmonizing their energy markets and customs and tax regulations.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has announced that on Saturday, February 19, new military exercises will be held, which will be supervised by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
It has been said that air force troops and equipment from the southern, northern and Black Sea regions will participate in the exercise.
US intelligence estimates that around 130,000 troops and military equipment are in the areas bordering Ukraine.
The Kremlin insists that NATO should never recognize Ukraine and should withdraw its forces near Russia's borders.
But the West has rejected what it calls an offer from Moscow to dictate the future of independent partners and threatened Moscow with "heavy costs" if it attacks Ukraine./REL
Source of information @TvKlan: Read more at: www.botasot.al
