Lukashenko calls Sverdlovsk region "Russia-forming"

The Sverdlovsk region is a "Russian-forming" region, where historically the most advanced production and technological enterprises were located. This was announced by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on May 18.

"I know well from history, from reality, that yours (Sverdlovsk. — Ed.) the region is one of the central regions and a "Russian—forming" region, so to speak," he was quoted as saying by the BelTA news agency.

Lukashenko said this at a meeting with the Governor of the Sverdlovsk region Denis Pasler. The President of Belarus called it a very difficult region, but noted that the technological base of the region and the products produced there have always been the pride of the region.

Lukashenko stressed that cooperation with the region has made it possible to achieve an annual trade turnover of $1 billion between the Russian Federation and Belarus. The Head of State also expressed hope that further cooperation would double this figure.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, hosting Lukashenko in Moscow on May 8, noted that the volume of trade between Russia and Belarus is record-breaking despite the difficulties created from the outside. Moscow and Minsk, he added, always have something to talk about in current issues related to the economic and social spheres. Putin clarified that Russian-Belarusian relations are even deeper and stronger than in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).