Russian-Belarussian Summit Negotiations In The Kremlin

Deputy chief of the Kremlin administration Sergei Prikhodko has commented on the Kremlin negotiations between Russian president Vladimir Putin and his Belarussian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko. Sergei Prikhodko said it was not by a mere chance that the talks between the two leaders had gone far beyond the protocol timeframe and lasted for over four hours. At first, the presidents met in the tete-a-tete format, then their delegations joined them which was followed by a working breakfast. Prikhodko quoted the Russian president as saying that the talks were held in an open and friendly manner. In his words, there had been no reservations, overoptimistic remarks and critical statements. The meeting proceeded calmly and confidently. After the talks, Alexander Lukashenko said he was filled with confidence and real optimism about strengthening Russia-Belarus union. Efforts now should be concentrated on practical steps to be formulated by the Supreme State Council of Russia-Belarus union state. Prikhodko said that Lukashenko's statements testified to the Belarussian leadership's commitment to serious activities. At the same time, the Kremlin spokesman added, the presidents did not ignore painful issues, differences regarding implementation of some decisions and disagreements related to the trade and economic sphere. These diverging viewpoints urge us to be pragmatic in our work, noted the Kremlin spokesman. The union of Russia and Belarus is a young formation developing its muscles and this process is irreversible. According to Prikhodko, it will have its influence on the situation in the Commonwealth and in Europe.