Behind the Scenes at the CIS: Putin Discusses Special Integration Deal for Belarus With Lukashenko

Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus: "Let it be my exclusive interview".

Experienced politician Lukashenko knows the first thing that journalists note. He was definitely well-prepared for the summit. While Putin was speaking the president of Belarus was studying the text of the speech he was going to give. He browsed through the pages yet another time during Pashinyan's speech.

 

It soon became clear why he was being so thorough. Knowing that the summit is broadcasted live Lukashenko raises the question of prices for Russian gas. Putin responded that the EAEU-countries will share the gas market in six years. However, even now, prices are significantly lower for members of the union.

Vladimir Putin: “Next year, it'll cost $127 for you and $250 for Germany. It's undoubtedly a great advantage for our EAEU allies. Despite that, we must strive for complete unification. In order to achieve that, we require time and a higher level of integration between our states. But that's something we're going to discuss. We're ready…

Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus: "You're right, Mr. Putin. But unfortunately or fortunately, our main partner is not Germany but Russia. And Russians are not only our main partners but our main rivals as well. We're determined to reach that level by 2025. But the key aspect in our case is to move towards our goal without stopping halfway. That's what matters".

Lukashenko compared the gas prices in Russia with the prices that Belarus pays. As one of the arguments, Lukashenko brought up that Russia and Belarus fought together in WWII. Putin explained the price difference again.

Vladimir Putin: "I mentioned Germany for a reason. Belarus is not supposed to pay $250 per 1,000 cubic meters. But if Belarus didn't have the advantages provided by the integration and had to pay a price formed by the market it would be $200 rather than $129 or $127. See the difference?"

Alexander Lukashenko: "Mr. Putin, you have an error in your calculations. We're in a worse situation than Germany. I've said it repeatedly. Back then, we were fighting Germany together. But now, our veterans of that war have the following situation: Germany pays $200 while Belarus pays $130 because Germany is 3,000 kilometers farther away than Belarus. That's why their price is higher".

- Right.

- That's the reason.

Vladimir Putin: "The market price for Belarus wouldn't be $129 or $127 but about $200. That's the thing. But let's return to the matter during our closed discussion".

- Okay.

Alexander Lukashenko: And so they did. However, our program managed to find out what happened behind closed doors. Afterward, I had to apologize to the host of today's summit as the discussion was rather heated. It's good that nobody heard it. We discussed all matters.

- Did you reach an agreement?

- We did.

During the summit, Putin had multiple conversations with the Minister of Energy While talking to us, Alexander Novak reminded that Belarus already pays the best price for Russian gas.

Alexander Novak, Minister of Energy: "They have a reduced price, perhaps the lowest price for Russian gas. We'll try to reach an agreement".

Putin and Lukashenko agreed to have another meeting next week. In St. Petersburg, they had multiple conversations before, during, and after the EAEU summit. This is the sidelines footage of an informal conversation. The Russian president is talking to the Belarusian. Putin's Foreign Policy Aide Ushakov is standing two steps away from the table. Nazarbayev and Pashinyan are actively discussing something. Previously, the leaders agreed that December 6th will be the day they decide who will be the new Secretary General of the CSTO. But the matter was set aside again.

Soon afterward, the president of Moldova arrived at the summit. His country is an observer within the EAEU. All of the leaders wait on the sidelines while Putin and Dodon shake hands.

The pre-New Years Eurasian Union summit became an hours-long dialogue on the acutest issues. While world politics and the economy are being built on the every-man-for-himself rule the Eurasian Economic Union aims to develop closer relations and considers it an undeniable competitive advantage.

Armenia shares the same attitude towards the EAEU. For obvious reasons, everybody wanted to hear what Nikol Pashinyan has to say about the union.

Nikol Pashinyan, Acting Prime Minister of Armenia: "It's one of the priorities of our government".

The fact that the president of Moldova shares his priorities annoys the opposition. Perhaps it's the latest news Dodon was reading on a smartphone that his assistant pulled out of his pocket and gave to the president under the table. Dodon carefully read what was on the screen and put the phone into his pocket. At least, the summit welcomed Dodon with a positive attitude and good relations.

- Together forever.

- Right.

When the Eurasian Union summit was over the informal CIS summit began in the same building. The protocol service demonstrated wonders of quick work. A delicate girl was picking up all of the excessive accessories from the tables and chairs. Nothing could hide from her experienced and professional eyes. After a couple of minutes, even more presidents were supposed to arrive.

Putin greeted the CIS leaders, had a lengthy conversation with each counterpart, and proceeded to meet the next. Small pauses are inevitable. During one of such pauses, the president seemed to practice his soccer skills.

The president of Turkmenistan is going up the stairs. Walking down the hall he sees Putin and opens his arms to embrace him.

Putin's Protocol Chief Vladislav Kitaev helps the guest find their way through the unfamiliar halls. He delicately tips the leaders on what's going to happen in the next second. The presidents line up together to take a group photo. President Nazarbayev almost went in the wrong direction but turned back.

The leaders were going to spend a long night together. Ten leaders were riding the cortege through the streets of St. Petersburg towards one of the world's most famous theaters. By that time, the last bell had already rung. The historic building of the Mariinsky Theater. The presidents are going to see The Nutcracker. The hundreds of people inside are joined by the CIS leaders who came here for an informal summit. The presidents' mood isn't just good, it's excellent. The audience greets the unexpected guests with applause. The presidents are sitting in the 13th row. Everything goes in an ordinary fashion. The leader of Uzbekistan suddenly gets up and judging by his gestures, asks if he can switch seats but the leaders keep coming. Lukashenko encounters his compatriots who came to St. Petersburg. He uses the informal atmosphere to say the words that might be more important than all of the issues discussed on that day.

- We're guests here, but it feels like home.

- Like home.

The Nutcracker of the Mariinsky Theater is considered the most interesting piece in the history of this ballet.

- We're delighted.

- So it's your second time?

- Yes.

Vladimir Putin: We're all delighted.

- Thank you.

- Thank you so much. That's so great.

- And happy upcoming New Year.

- Thank you.

- Thank you so much.

- Happy upcoming New Year.

- Thank you.

- We're expecting you to go on tour.

After the performance, Putin and his guests proceeded to thank the actors for their brilliant work.

Vladimir Putin: Here you go.

- Thank you.

It seems that informal CIS-leader summits held in Russian theaters are becoming a tradition.

Vladimir Putin: "Next time, we'll see a piece by Boris Reifman. It's a new kind of ballet. Well, it's not exactly new, but it's a new form of ballet that's different from the classical one. But it's beautiful, original, and the actors are extremely talented".

The Mariinsky actors immediately engaged in the conversation and praised their colleagues. They rehearse all day long.

"It seems we have a pretty similar schedule. We also work all day long".

The audience of all performances that were mentioned seems to love them.

Next up: After imposing martial law, Ukraine is summoning all of its reservists to military training. More than 200,000 men aged under 40 years old are arriving at garrisons in the Kharkiv, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhia, Chernihiv, and Vinnytsia Oblasts. It's been reported that they've been enlisted in the operative reserve and have to complete the training. What they're preparing for becomes clear after watching the Ukrainian TV channels provide details on the results of the large-scale maneuvers on the ground, in the sea, and in the air. According to the reports, the troops were practicing repelling an attack from the east.

Armenia has announced the final results of the parliamentary elections. The absolute leader is the My Step Alliance led by Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. His party received more than 70% of the votes. The parties Flourishing Armenia and Enlightened Armenia also won seats in the parliament. The former ruling Republican Party didn't manage to pass the 5% threshold.

The chief financial officer of Huawei, who was arrested in early December, requested to be released on bail due to her declining health. Meng Wanzhou continues to deny the charges. In the meantime, the investigation discovers new facts. According to the media, the Huawei CFO was acting under various names using seven passports. Meng Wanzhou was arrested at the request of Washington, and charged with violating the US trade sanctions against Iran. China demands the arrest warrant be withdrawn and threatens retaliatory measures. In the meantime, another decision regarding Huawei was made in Tokyo, obviously under Washington's pressure. From now on, Huawei and another Chinese company, ZTE, are banned in Japan. The companies are banned from government contracts and state procurement in the Land of the Rising Sun.