Belarusian authorities still hope to from Russia

The Belarusian authorities haven’t stopped attempts to worm out money from Russia in addition to the already received loan of $2 bn. This issue is to be discussed on January 30 during the meeting of Belarusian Prime Minister with Vladimir Putin.

Previously Russia made it clear that the loan of 100 bn Russian rubles (about $3 bn) allegedly necessary for transition to accounts in Russian rubles. But Belarusian officials haven’t been stopped by that, they continue to look for ways to receive additional support.

“On Friday we are to meet with Vladimir Putin at the session of the “union government” to discuss the plan of joint actions in the conditions of the crisis, to discuss a number of issues which should be promoted during the crisis,” stated Prime Minister of Belarus Syarhei Sidorski at the meeting with Russian Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina.

As said by her, “a system of trust to payments” is meant primarily. Branches of many Russian banks are working in Belarus, and in February the Belarusian side plans to offer “Vneshekonombank” of Russia a number of joint projects for supporting the economy in the conditions of the crisis, the Prime Minister explained. “We should adopt a decision in favour of our manufacturers,” Sidorski said.

“There are positions where we understand each other perfectly well, and there are positions where we are to continue discussion,” Russian Economic Development Minister stated.

As we have informed, Russian government rejected the request of the official Minsk to grant a new credit. The Belarusian side stated that the loan would be given in exchange to transition to Russian rubles by Belarus in mutual trade.

“They had the figure of 100 billion rubles (3 bn dollars) in the letter -- we are not even considering it," Interfax was said by Deputy Finance Minister of Russia Dmitry Pankin.