Lukashenko held a meeting on the performance of Belarus's energy complex on the eve of his visit to Sochi.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko held a meeting today on ensuring the effective operation of the country's fuel and energy complex, a BELTA correspondent reports.

"We have gathered to discuss a number of measures to fulfil forecast indicators and, frankly, to overcome the negative trends that have emerged in our economy due to recent global events and, above all, in relations with Russia," said Alexander Lukashenko. "These are not just narrow issues. Everyone is talking about them – like oil and gas supplies, and the 'food wars' which, unfortunately, have become commonplace recently."

The Head of State inquired about the government's arsenal for resolving problematic issues, how GDP growth, budget execution, price stability, and most importantly, the steady growth of incomes for all segments of the population would be ensured. "We cannot abandon any programme. And not only because this year is an examination year," the President added.

Alexander Lukashenko recalled that disagreements on energy issues with the closest partner, Russia, have arisen again. This has been happening regularly for 13 years, despite mutual obligations, he noted. "Although firm guarantees were given to us when signing them. For example, this year Russia undertook to supply 24 million tonnes of oil to Belarus at the intergovernmental level – 2 million each month. In January, 500,000 tonnes were supplied – a quarter. Report to me on what has been done to ensure that Russia fulfils its obligations," the Head of State said.

He noted that Belarus is too often forced to adjust its economic development plans. "Therefore, I would like to hear about mechanisms for compensating for losses, which our country inevitably incurs during this period not through its own fault. The requirements are known - not a single resident of Belarus, not a single enterprise should feel the consequences of any maneuvers by our partners," the Belarusian leader pointed out.

The President also inquired about the government's proposals for finding alternative energy resource suppliers and reliable channels for their delivery. "Once again, I repeat publicly: all oil refineries must operate. We must supply not only the domestic market with petroleum products, as is happening now, but also fulfill our contractual obligations on external markets, that is, sell petroleum products to Europe, Ukraine, and other countries," the head of state stressed.

As reported, on February 7, Alexander Lukashenko will hold a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi. The negotiations will, in particular, discuss the supply of Russian oil and gas to Belarus. The fact that the current meeting is a kind of synchronisation of watches before negotiations with the Russian side is indicated by Alexander Lukashenko's recent instruction to Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich. "Get ready. I need the situation on gas by Thursday," the head of state told him while visiting Dobrush on Tuesday.

During his conversation with journalists in Dobrush, the President stated that a "moment of truth" had arrived in the negotiations. "We created these good relations (between Belarus and Russia. - Editorial note of BELTA). We were the architects of these relations, should we be the ones to break them at the end of our political careers. We are not eternal. What will we leave behind - that is the question," said Alexander Lukashenko.

"What we are asking from the Russians now (they are striking a pose and trying to bring us to our knees): if you cannot supply us with duty-free oil within the Eurasian Union (they replaced it with a tax maneuver, they found fools), sell it to us at world prices," the Head of State explained. He stated that Russia does not agree to such proposals and insists on a substantial premium for companies on top of that for oil supplies to Belarus. "And how do you supply Hungary, Poland, the West? Without a premium. Can an elder brother treat his closest people like this?" Alexander Lukashenko asked rhetorically.

According to the President, Belarus wants honest, transparent and sincere cooperation with Russia. "We are not asking for anything in addition to how they work in the West. Today they offered $127 per 1 thousand cubic meters of gas. Spot prices in Europe are up to $100 for gas. We also see what is happening in the world, and we know how to count," he emphasized.

"Therefore, there is no need to be afraid. We need to improve relations. We need to pass on to the new generation what we have done (in previous years for the development of bilateral relations with Russia. - BELTA note), and in a dignified manner," Alexander Lukashenko summarized.