Opinions & Interviews
Potanin explains importance of cooperation with Belarus
Vladimir Potanin
MINSK, 8 September (BelTA) – Vladimir Potanin, head of Russia’s Interros and Nornickel, stressed the importance of cooperation with Belarus when speaking to journalists following his meeting with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Minsk on 8 September, BelTA has learned.
The Russian businessman noted that, due to certain global circumstances, there had been a disruption in technological and logistical chains that had been developing for a long time. “This is a negative trend. Right now, it is exacerbated by sanctions pressure and the fact that a geopolitical redivision of the world is currently underway. Such periods happen. They pass, and cooperation and partnership are restored,” he said.
“The question is, what position will we be in when the time comes to build a new system of relations?” Vladimir Potanin continued. “If we approach that moment empty-handed, our position will naturally be quite weak. My business colleagues and I talk about this, and, of course, this was discussed today with Aleksandr Grigoryevich [Lukashenko]. We talked about the need to join forces where we have expertise and competitive advantages – we must preserve them. We need to make joint efforts to maintain our positions in the markets from which they are trying to push us out (both Russia and Belarus), venture into new markets, and, to use a sports metaphor, be in good shape. So that when the whistle blows and a new round of competition is announced, we can perform decently.”
The businessman pointed to a thorough and thoughtful approach to developing cooperation. “I haven’t been to Belarus in a long time. I came here at the invitation of Aleksandr Grigoryevich [Lukashenko]. Everything we are going to do here needs to be carefully conceptualized. We do not plan to act with reckless haste or overconfidence. We must look closely into the situation and understand what tangible results we could deliver for the Belarusian economy, without forgetting our own, the Russian one. This will all come gradually as we build closer ties with our Belarusian colleagues,” he said.
According to him, there are quite a few areas where the interests of the Belarusian and Russian sides align – for instance, education. Both countries boast strong educational traditions rooted in technical, engineering, and IT specialties. “Belarus has a strong technical education system, and it is crucial to preserve and strengthen it. It interests me both as a potential employer and as someone who is deeply involved in education,” he noted.
“I made a proposal, and Aleksandr Grigoryevich [Lukashenko] supported a mutual exchange of educational programs,” Vladimir Potanin said. “We will be able to extend the experience we have in Russia regarding education, scholarship, and grant programs to Belarusian universities. There is a solid academic foundation here, as well as enterprises that could serve as a proving ground – not just for testing equipment and innovations, but also for people, helping them get used to a real working environment.”
The businessman also spoke of his intention to “do his part” in developing the new Academy of Intelligent Technologies currently being established in Belarus. “We will be able to bring certain expertise there and enrich the areas planned for development, particularly in IT, AI, and biotechnology,” he said.
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