Lukashenko and Zelensky Discussed Alternate Routes for Delivery of Energy Resources

The cooperation of the two states is not targeted against third countries, the President of Belarus said after his first meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky. Presidents of Belarus and Ukraine Alexander Lukashenko and Volodymyr Zelensky discussed alternative routes for energy delivery from world markets. The cooperation of the two states is not targeted against third countries, it is in the interests of security of the two countries, Lukashenko said on Friday, October 4, at the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine in Zhytomyr after his first meeting with the Ukrainian president. According to Aleksander Lukashenko, the open Ukrainian electricity market creates serious prerequisites for mutually beneficial cooperation. The Belarusian side has already signed several commercial contracts to sell electricity to Ukraine. “Once the Belarusian nuclear power plant is commissioned in 2020, we will be very interested in the work experience of the Ukrainian nuclear energy industry,” he stated. Lukashenko also announced Minsk’s readiness for negotiations on increasing the supply of oil products. “The common history and neighborhood have predetermined cooperation priorities, including in economy. Those are primarily fuel and energy sector, agribusiness, manufacturing cooperation, transport, and logistics,” the Belarusian head of state said. At the enlarged negotiations held within the framework of the forum, Zelensky suggested Lukashenko to discuss the possibility of filing a joint application for the Olympic Games. “I “I think that our states could bid to co-host big international sport competitions,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. Meanwhile, contracts for a total of $ 500 million were signed at the forum of the regions of Ukraine and Belarus, said Volodymyr Zelensk. He noted the strengthening of relations with Belarus at the central and regional levels. DW