OREANDA-NEWS. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, during a meeting in St. Petersburg on December 29, thanked Russian leader Vladimir Putin for the support provided to the republic in the "difficult time of sanctions."

"I'm really grateful to you. I am very grateful to you myself. First of all, for what you have done for Belarus and for the support that you give to us ... It's not about flattery, but the fact is that any proposal that we make, or a request, you give instructions to certain people .. Both Russian companies and the Russian government and banks are meeting halfway, supporting us in this difficult time of sanctions, ”Lukashenka said.

He noted that the West continues to "choke" the republic with sanctions.

“We have introduced five packages, they are talking about a sixth package. Moreover, these sanctions are brainless and useless, ”said the President of Belarus.

On December 2, the US, Canada, Great Britain and the EU called on the Belarusian authorities to stop "organizing illegal migration" across the EU borders. On the same day, the United States introduced a new package of sanctions against Belarus. According to the above list, the new restrictions affected 20 individuals, 12 organizations and three aircraft.

On December 13, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko announced his readiness to cut off gas transit to Europe if new Western sanctions put the country in a state of emergency.