«According to our estimates, the turnover of goods and services between Russia and Belarus may exceed $70 billion at the end of 2026 given the appropriate exchange rate. For comparison, [Russia’s] trade with China, which economy and population are many times larger, now stands at about $240 billion. The comparison clearly indicates the depth of our integration ties with Belarus,» Boris Gryzlov said.

In his words, Belarusian export is on the rise, and Russia traditionally remains its key target market. «The range of shipments is very broad: food, petrochemicals, agricultural machines, construction machines, and other special-purpose equipment, mass transit vehicles. Let me add that today payments between Russia and Belarus are almost entirely made in national currencies. It helps protect mutual trade from exchange rate fluctuations,» the Russian ambassador noted.

The diplomat stressed that Belarus is Russia’s closest ally and key strategic partner. «We have an intensive and very efficient political dialogue. Regular personal meetings and phone conversations of the presidents are supplemented by constant, virtually real-time interaction of the governments, the parliaments, and the relevant ministries and government agencies,» he stated.

«The Union State [of Belarus and Russia] remains the central avenue of bilateral interaction, and in the last few years we made a leap in quality in the development of our integration association. Mutual respect, equality, and consideration for each other’s interests lie at the heart of these relations. Over thirty years the integration of Russia and Belarus has reached a level that has no analogs in the world. The established model of bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation is unique. Its essence is expressed as precisely as possible by the formula ‘Two states — one economy’, which effectiveness was especially vivid amid the sanctions-fueled pressure of the West on our countries,» Boris Gryzlov added.