Lukashenko calls for EAEU unity, warns against seeking alternatives abroad

The President of Alexander Lukashenko has called on member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to strengthen internal cooperation and avoid comparing the bloc unfavourably with alternatives outside the region.

Speaking at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Astana, Lukashenko said EAEU countries should not “give any reason” for governments or societies to believe that better opportunities exist elsewhere, Caliber.Az reports, citing regional media.

He stressed that integration must deliver visible benefits not only for governments but also for citizens across member states.

Lukashenko noted that while some progress had been made in developing common approaches to artificial intelligence, several key economic issues within the bloc remain unresolved.

He also criticised what he described as limited progress in industrial cooperation, saying that EAEU states were still duplicating production capacities while simultaneously restricting each other’s markets through protective measures.

As an example, he pointed to the automotive sector, where, he said, recycling fees in some countries could soon exceed the cost of vehicles themselves.

“Everyone has closed themselves off so much that not even a mouse can slip through,” he said.

The Belarusian leader urged member states to ensure that integration outcomes are tangible for citizens, arguing that visible economic benefits were essential for maintaining public support for the union.

He added that stronger results would also help demonstrate the advantages of membership to potential new entrants, while discouraging existing members from questioning the value of participation.

Warning against stagnation, Lukashenko said failure to deliver practical results risked turning the bloc into what he described as “endless meetings” without meaningful progress, referencing the Russian poet Vladimir Mayakovsky.