Lukashenko: Belarus-Russia single currency is not a question of today

The introduction of Belarus-Russia single currency is not a question of today, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Russia’s Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, BelTA has learned.

“I would like to ‘learn’ something, ask a number of questions that are on the lips of many heads of state today. You see this in our speeches. We probably say a lot, but even if we understand things by and large (about reserve currency and so on ), we don’t quite understand when this will happen and how it will go. Therefore, I really want to know your point of view, the point of view of your colleagues about it,” the president said.

“There are no questions regarding the work of the Interbank Currency Council [of the Central Bank of Russia and the National Bank of Belarus]. When I discuss the introduction of a single currency at highest-level meetings, I often quote you and the chairman of our National Bank who say that this is not an easy process; we have agreed with the president of Russia that this is probably not a matter of today,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

At the same time, the Belarusian head of state noted that “this question is often raised by some patriotic people in Russia and Belarus”. “I would like to know what you think about it today. I know your long-standing position on this matter,” he said. “As for the currency council, thank you very much. You are a universally acknowledged person. Even our enemies admit that Elvira Nabiullina managed to sort out economic and currency issues in Russia very quickly, especially in the face of sanctions. I almost quoted our enemies,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.