The help is a part of U.S. $ 1.5 billion loan that Russia has promised Belarus as part of Moscow’s efforts to stabilise its neighbour
The President of Russia – Vladimir Putin on Saturday, i.e., May 29, 2021 announced to release U.S. $ 500 million loan to Belarus in June 2021, after European Union (E.U.) warned Belarus with sanctions for hijacking a plane.
The announcement came during a 2-day Summit, which was held in Moscow. Putin also took Belarusian President – Alexander Lukashenko to a yacht tour in the Black Sea Resort of Sochi.
Taking it to twitter, the official account of President of Russia tweeted,
#Sochi: Vladimir Putin met with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko https://t.co/Mk3kheGY71 pic.twitter.com/NhPF6zs0vP
— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) May 28, 2021
The U.S. $ 500 million is a part of U.S. $ 1.5 billion loan that Russia has promised Belarus as part of Moscow’s efforts to stabilise its neighbour after mass protests broke out in Belarus, accusing Lukashenko of rigging the Presidential polls. The first instalment of U.S. $ 500 million was released in October 2020.
Lukashenko’s Russia visit came as E.U. and the United States (U.S.) condemned Belarus for forcefully diverting a plane, flying over its territory, to arrest Belarusian opposition journalist – Roman Protasevich and his Russian girlfriend – Sofia Sapega. Terming the act as ‘hijacking’, the E.U. threatened to limit Belarus air traffic after ‘state piracy’. The European nations have demanded immediate release of Protasevich and Sofia and a full investigation into the matter.
Meanwhile, several European nations have imposed flight bans on Belarusian aviation. The U.S. has also announced sanctions on 9 State-owned Belarusian companies. The U.S. is also working jointly with the E.U. to draw up a list of targeted sanctions against key members of Lukashenko’s Government.
Terming the E.U. and U.S. reaction as an outburst of emotion, Putin criticised the West. Putin also promised to consider increasing flights with Belarus to make up for the loss that Belarus aviation might suffer, due to flight ban from several European nations.
Speaking on the occasion, Putin said, “Yes, an outburst of emotions. We have things to discuss even without these events. I mean to say that in the first quarter of this year, our trade grew by a considerable 18.4 percent, and Russia remains a key trade and economic partner of Belarus. This is a good trend, and it is important to keep it going along with the Government’s active work. Our Prime Minister is in Minsk as we speak.”
During the Summit, the 2 leaders instructed their transport ministries to organise all aspects of air communication with regard to the fact a large number of Belarusians have to somehow return to their homeland.
Putin also raised the topic of Sofia as she is a Russian citizen. For the records, Sofia also has a Belarusian residency permit. Putin has also instructed his Foreign Minister to follow Sofia’s case with great attention.
