Lukashenka and Putin discuss Crimea

The press services of Putin and Lukashenka give different descriptions of the telephone conversation between their patrons that took place last night.

The official website of the Russian president writes that “Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on the Belarusian side’s initiative.”

“The two heads of state continued their exchange of views on the developments in the crisis situation in Ukraine,” the press release informs.

“They noted the importance and historical significance of the reunification of the Crimean peninsula with the Russian Federation, which occurred in full accordance with a nearly unanimous expression of will by Crimea’s population,” the press service of the Russian president reports.

The official site of the Belarusian ruler uses the more restrained language:

“Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin discussed a wide range of issues and exchanged opinions on the situation in Ukraine and the referendum in Crimea.”

The press service of Lukashenka emphasises the fact that “the heads of state also talked over the agenda of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting that is due in Minsk in late April.”

Lukashenka said on March 5 in Moscow at the latest meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council with participation of the heads of state that the Customs Union should be built “without exemptions”, in other words, he demanded duty-free Russian oil.