Belarus to meet payments on Russia’s loans – Lukashenko
MINSK, Jul 13 - PrimePress. Belarus will fulfill its obligations under the loans provided by Russia no matter what it takes, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said at the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 13, 2021 in St. Petersburg.<br> <br> “Yes, it has always been difficult for us financially. Russia’s support has been substantial. But we are trying to honor our obligations on the loans, and we will continue to do so whatever the cost,” said Lukashenko.<br> <br> “Our economy is strongly tied to the Russian economy. We have maintained many cooperative relations with Russia. We have not gone the way other republics did, especially our southern republic [Ukraine]. We have not severed the ties, preserved all industries, and achieved increase output in some areas, in many respects thanks to Russian investments," Lukashenko said.<br> <br> Last time, Russia gave Belarus $1 billion in Russian rubles in an interstate loan in 2020. The first tranche was received in December 2020 and the second in June 2021. The loan will enable Belarus to partially repay its previous debts to Russia. According to Fitch Ratings, Belarus’ total external debt repayments will reach $2.39 billion in 2021. About 45% of them go to Russia, 17% to the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD), and 22% to China. End<br> <br>
2021-07-13
Primepress