"Today is the informal part of the talks": what Putin and Lukashenko talked about on the second day of the meeting in Sochi

Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov spoke about the second day of talks between Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.

“Yesterday was the official day of negotiations, today is the informal part of these negotiations,” Peskov explained.

According to him, Putin and Lukashenko agreed yesterday that they would “take advantage of the good weather” and take a boat trip.

At the heart of the negotiations, according to Peskov, were two large blocks of issues - the development of trade and economic relations and the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

As the press secretary of the head of state said, the leaders stated that in the first quarter of 2021 they managed to achieve an increase in the volume of trade.

In addition, they discussed the topic of improving economic cooperation, including in the field of customs and taxes, as well as general principles of work of the relevant authorities.

Along with this, the leaders also discussed the second tranche of the state loan in the amount of $ 500 million. Recall that the total size of the loan is $ 1.5 billion.

During the meeting, Lukashenka did not ask for additional economic assistance.

As Peskov noted, "the question was not posed that way."

At the same time, the leaders discussed the topic of air traffic management.

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According to Peskov, taking into account the decisions of the authorities of a number of EU countries regarding flights over Belarus, as well as the fact that Belavia is no longer a welcome guest in European cities, "the Transport Ministries of the two countries were instructed to organize all aspects of air communication.

“And also, which is important, given the fact that a large number of citizens of Belarus will have to somehow return to their homeland,” Peskov emphasized.

In this regard, the presidential press secretary noted that the period of holidays is approaching and a large number of Belarusian citizens intend to come to the Black Sea coast of Russia.

Also on russian.rt.com "Russia remains a key trade and economic partner of Belarus": how the meeting between Putin and Lukashenko was held in Sochi

Let us remind you that the talks between the presidents of Russia and Belarus started on the evening of May 28.

Putin and Lukashenko talked at the residence of the Russian leader in Sochi for more than five hours.

The heads of state discussed issues of trade and economic cooperation.

In particular, Putin noted that Russia remains a key partner of Belarus.

The Russian leader added that trade between the two countries grew by more than 18% in the first quarter of this year.

According to Putin, this is a "very good trend" that is important to keep.

Detention of a Russian woman in Minsk

The press secretary of the Russian president, Peskov, said that during the conversation, at the initiative of Putin, the topic of a Russian citizen who was detained in Belarus was raised.

She is now in jail.

“Of course, we are not indifferent to her fate, but we also take into account the fact that she really (this was confirmed) has a residence permit in Belarus.

We, of course, proceed from the premise (and this was emphasized by the President of Russia) that everything should take place within the framework of the law.

The President instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation to monitor the fate of the case of a Russian citizen in the most attentive way, ”Peskov explained.

Russian woman Sofya Sapega was on board a Ryanair aircraft.

She was among those detained after the plane landed in Minsk.

Recall that the liner urgently landed in the Belarusian capital due to reports of a bomb planted on board.

The information about the bomb was not subsequently confirmed.

Sapega accompanied Roman Protasevich, the former editor-in-chief of the NEXTA Telegram channel recognized as extremist in Belarus.

He was also detained.

Note that at the beginning of negotiations with Lukashenka, Putin called the situation around Ryanair "a surge of emotions."

According to Peskov, on May 29, Lukashenko also informed Putin in detail about the events related to the emergency landing of the Ryanair plane.

Peskov noted that from the point of view of Russia, this situation requires a thoughtful and constructive examination.

“This cascade of hasty conclusions, which was made by the European capitals and Brussels, rather suggests that this approach is not based on an attempt to clarify the circumstances, but is based solely on emotions,” said Peskov.

Answering a question from journalists about the possibility of publishing data on the Ryanair board provided to Lukashenka, Peskov said that there is “nothing special” in these documents.

“The Belarusian side has provided all the information.

Apparently, if there are any additional questions, Minsk will be ready to provide other data, ”added Peskov.

He noted that Russia opposes multiple investigations, which, according to Peskov, "are more emotional than substantive."

“We are supporters of a serious approach based on the relevant provisions of international law in the field of international air transportation,” concluded Peskov.