Lukashenko: Belarus is prepared to set up joint ventures with Russia’s Murmansk Oblast
02.03.2026
MINSK (
BelTA) – Belarus is ready not only to trade with Murmansk Oblast but also to set up joint ventures, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Governor of Russia’s Murmansk Oblast Andrei Chibis in Minsk on 2 March, BelTA has learned.
“We are ready to work with Murmansk Oblast to the extent that Murmansk Oblast is ready for it. We are prepared to build relations with you not only on the basis of supplying our products to your region. We are also ready to set up joint enterprises so that we all benefit,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
When speaking about areas of cooperation with Murmansk Oblast, the head of state named such areas as passenger and special-purpose vehicles, food and agriculture, and elevators. “We are ready to cooperate with you in all these areas. Especially since we are working very intensively to move away from all imported Western products, from those countries that have imposed sanctions against us. We have successfully practically done this. This concerns primarily industry, specifically certain components and assemblies. In this regard, you can count on Belarus,” the Belarusian leader assured.
In this regard, the president noted that he always gives preference to domestically produced goods rather than imported ones. “Imported goods might be of a higher quality in some aspects, but it's someone else's. If something suddenly breaks down, you have to search for it far away, and it's not so simple. But here, at home... Belarus is no outsider to Russia. We are kin. We can instantly supply spare parts for our machinery and also any food, provisions, or clothing you may need. Although I know you successfully solve any problems. You know what Belarus is good at, what it can do to help Russia's regions. First of all, regions so close to us, like Leningrad Oblast, St. Petersburg, and, naturally, Murmansk,” he said.
The head of state also assured the governor of Murmansk Oblast that the doors in Belarus are always open for Russian regions. “In any area, we are ready to get involved and work,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added. “I am confident that you and I will achieve certain results if we are focused on intensive cooperation between your region and Belarus.”
The trade between Belarus and Murmansk Oblast in recent years has been in the range of $250–290 million. Last year, Belarus’ merchandise exports amounted to $103.9 million, or up by 5 % over 2024. Belarus’ major exports to Murmansk Oblast were trucks, petroleum products, machinery and mechanisms for earthworks, silicates, animal feed, metal structures made of ferrous metals, and other types of goods. Imports were primarily calcium phosphates, aluminum wire, unprocessed nickel, refined copper and copper alloys, feldspar, and others.
“We are ready to work with Murmansk Oblast to the extent that Murmansk Oblast is ready for it. We are prepared to build relations with you not only on the basis of supplying our products to your region. We are also ready to set up joint enterprises so that we all benefit,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
When speaking about areas of cooperation with Murmansk Oblast, the head of state named such areas as passenger and special-purpose vehicles, food and agriculture, and elevators. “We are ready to cooperate with you in all these areas. Especially since we are working very intensively to move away from all imported Western products, from those countries that have imposed sanctions against us. We have successfully practically done this. This concerns primarily industry, specifically certain components and assemblies. In this regard, you can count on Belarus,” the Belarusian leader assured.
In this regard, the president noted that he always gives preference to domestically produced goods rather than imported ones. “Imported goods might be of a higher quality in some aspects, but it's someone else's. If something suddenly breaks down, you have to search for it far away, and it's not so simple. But here, at home... Belarus is no outsider to Russia. We are kin. We can instantly supply spare parts for our machinery and also any food, provisions, or clothing you may need. Although I know you successfully solve any problems. You know what Belarus is good at, what it can do to help Russia's regions. First of all, regions so close to us, like Leningrad Oblast, St. Petersburg, and, naturally, Murmansk,” he said.
The head of state also assured the governor of Murmansk Oblast that the doors in Belarus are always open for Russian regions. “In any area, we are ready to get involved and work,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added. “I am confident that you and I will achieve certain results if we are focused on intensive cooperation between your region and Belarus.”
The trade between Belarus and Murmansk Oblast in recent years has been in the range of $250–290 million. Last year, Belarus’ merchandise exports amounted to $103.9 million, or up by 5 % over 2024. Belarus’ major exports to Murmansk Oblast were trucks, petroleum products, machinery and mechanisms for earthworks, silicates, animal feed, metal structures made of ferrous metals, and other types of goods. Imports were primarily calcium phosphates, aluminum wire, unprocessed nickel, refined copper and copper alloys, feldspar, and others.