Union State integration: at the forefront of fierce struggle for a just world

On the final day of the working visit, a meeting between Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin took place in the Kremlin. Members of delegations from both sides also participated in the event. Vladimir Putin presented the President of Belarus with the highest state award of the Russian Federation — the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called.

‘It was a frank conversation, without any ambiguity’

President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko shared his impressions following the recent meetings, emphasising that the parties addressed global issues and hotspots on our planet, “I was pleased that we had no disagreements on the international agenda. It was a frank conversation, without any ambiguity. We talked about the Azerbaijani-Armenian settlement. All statements were received positively. This indicates that significant work had been done beforehand. Yesterday [October 8th], we discussed global issues and regional matters. There was unanimity on many points.”

West has failed to strangle Belarus and Russia

Speaking about the development of Belarusian-Russian relations, Aleksandr Lukashenko highlighted, “The most important conclusion is that the West set out plans to strangle us — primarily in the economy and finance — and has failed to do that. It has already admitted it. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, we focused on preserving and developing what we had. It has proven useful. Today we are working together in many areas, producing goods that are in demand in the Russian Federation. Russia needs the goods we make — from agriculture to microelectronics.” 
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, two years ago the leaders of the two countries agreed to boost co-operation, “The world is changing at a furious pace. New threats and new opportunities are emerging for us. Naturally, there are issues that need to be addressed.”  

Trade and economic ties are developing in the best possible way

President of Russia Vladimir Putin is also filled with optimism, “We often meet with you. Trade and economic ties are developing in the best possible way, at a good pace. According to our statistics, the volume of trade turnover is $46.5bn. Russia ranks first in terms of direct investments in the Belarusian economy, with $4.5bn. 

We continue to develop interaction in industrial co-operation and agriculture. In the last year and a half, we have been actively engaged in microelectronics. Now opportunities are opening up in the aviation industry.”

Vladimir Putin emphasised that since Soviet times, Belarus has been referred to as the assembly shop of the Soviet Union, “Thanks to your efforts, these economic advantages have been preserved for Belarus, which gives us the opportunity to move together, complementing each other, in all directions.”

Union State can be an example of building equal relations between countries

The concluding and solemn note of Aleksandr Lukashenko’s visit to Moscow was the ceremony of awarding the President of Belarus, Chairman of the Supreme State Council of the Union State, with the highest state award of the Russian Federation — the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called. It is symbolic that Vladimir Putin presented the award to his Belarusian counterpart in the Andreyevsky Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace. 
The President of Russia noted that according to the statute of this order, it is conferred on prominent Russian state figures and foreign leaders for exceptional merits in strengthening ties with Russia, “You, dear Aleksandr Grigorievich, certainly deserve this highest award. Presenting you with the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called reflects Russia’s appreciation for your outstanding contribution to the development of Russian-Belarusian allied relations and strategic partnership.”  
According to Vladimir Putin, these relations are premised on the unshakeable principles of friendship and good neighbourliness, mutual respect, and consideration of each other’s interests, “We have a shared history, common moral and spiritual values, strong family and kinship ties between many Russians and Belarusians. It is on such a solid basis that Russia and Belarus are building their Union State, ensuring common defence and security, while creating a single economic, legal, and humanitarian space.”

‘Russia has always been and will be more than just a neighbouring state for Belarus’  

Aleksandr Lukashenko warmly thanked his Russian counterpart for the high award, “I consider it as recognition of the merits of the entire Belarusian people, consistently strengthening unity with our fraternal Russia. For our country, Russia has always been and will be more than just a neighbouring state. We share the same historical roots, traditions, and values, which are intertwined through an endless number of ordinary human relationships. We — Belarusians, Ukrainians, and Russians — all stem from the same root. Our main achievement is that we have preserved our basis. It underpins the vast potential of our co-operation.”  
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, we have managed to cement the economic, cultural, and spiritual ties that our ancestors had established over centuries, “Our unique integration association — the Union State — is successfully developing.

Today, we are together fighting for a just world. The union of Belarus and Russia stands at the forefront of this fierce and serious struggle. There is no alternative to this course amid the escalating and tense international situation. The Union State may well be a model for new equal relations.” 

Belarusians have never let Russians down. We will not do it in the future, either.  

Aleksandr Lukashenko underscored that Belarus had been faced with choices many times, “We have never turned our back on Russia. Belarus is a reliable ally. I want Russia to know that Belarusians have never let Russians down. Accept my assurances: we will not do it in the future, either. God has decided that we share successes and difficulties in a brotherly manner. As President, elected by the Belarusian people, I will always stand guard over our common interests, centuries-old good neighbourliness, and friendship. The more than 300-year history of the order awarded to me, the dedication of many generations of ancestors who built and defended our Fatherland, oblige me to strengthen our union and unity.” 

History of the highest Russian order  

The Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called is the highest state order of the Russian Federation, the first order and the highest award in the Russian Empire, established in the late 17th century by Peter I in honour of Apostle Andrew the First-Called. Until 1917, over 1,000 people received the award. After the October Revolution, the order was abolished. In 1998, it was restored by a decree of the President of Russia as the highest state award.  
Since 1998, the order has been awarded to 26 individuals, including Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former leaders of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan Heydar Aliyev and Nursultan Nazarbayev, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and all Russia, former President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiyev, and composer Aleksandra Pakhmutova. 

‘For faith and loyalty’ 

The Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called has an insignia, a star, a chain, and a ribbon. The order insignia is designed as a saltire of silver with gilding, covered in blue enamel, featuring the figure of crucified St Andrew the Apostle. The cross is superimposed on a relief gilded figure of a double-headed eagle, crowned with three crowns connected by a ribbon covered in blue enamel.   
The order star is silver and has eight rays. In its centre, within a round medallion covered in red enamel, is a gilded image of the double-headed eagle, crowned with three crowns, with the image of the blue enamelled Andrew’s Cross on the eagle’s chest. The medallion is surrounded by a border covered in blue enamel with a gilded edging. The border bears the order’s motto: For Faith and Loyalty, inscribed in straight gilded letters.  
The order chain consists of 17 alternating links of three types: gilded images of the State Emblem of the Russian Federation, a cartouche with the monogram of Peter I, and a medallion with the Andrew’s Cross. The chain links are connected by rings, and the chain is made of silver with gilding, using hot enamel.

Based on materials of sb.by and belta.by