Putin discusses joint actions with Lukashenko, Nazarbayev amid Russia restrictions EU, U.S. agriculture imports
MOSCOW. Aug 7 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has held telephone negotiations with his Belarusian and Kazakh counterparts Alexander Lukashenko and Nursultan Nazarbayev, the Kremlin press office reported on Thursday.
"Different aspects of integration cooperation in the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union which is being formed were discussed, including coordinating actions in the trade and economic sphere in light of the decisions made to restrict certain agriculture imports, raw materials and foods from the European Union, the United States and a number of other states to Russia," the Kremlin said.
"The necessity of joint constructive work in different formats, in order to assist cease fire and launching real political domestic Ukrainian dialogue," has been emphasized, the press office said, discussing the development of the crisis situation in Ukraine,.
Lukashenko and Putin "have exchanged opinions regarding the Ukrainian economic situation in view of Ukraine's signing the association agreement with the EU," the Belarusian president's press office said.
Putin said he hoped that Belarus would treat the economic measures Russia had taken with regard to agriculture supplies from countries which had introduced sanctions regarding Russian companies and citizens with understanding, the press office told Interfax.
"The Belarusian president noted that complete transparency in the spirit of partnership relations will be ensured at the border," the press office said.
The presidents have also discussed cooperation issues within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union and its expansion.