Lukashenko: We won't carry the Vitebsk region on our shoulders. 

February 3, Minsk . The Vitebsk Region will not be carried on our shoulders. This was stated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting on certain issues of the Vitebsk Region's socioeconomic development, BELTA reports.

The head of state noted that the region needs to realistically assess its successes and capabilities and work towards results: "If you think we will continue to carry the Vitebsk Region, as well as some enterprises in the Mogilev, Gomel, Minsk, and other regions, we will not carry them on our shoulders. If you want to live and work, start resisting."

Alexander Lukashenko also called on the new regional leader to sort out the administrative apparatus in the Vitebsk Region and ensure there are no dependents. "I'm not saying you should take an 'axe' and chop it down. You can't find people from the moon. There are people there who can be forced to work. Figure out who you're working with," he said. The head of state noted that the heads of the chambers of parliament and the country's highest officials, Natalia Kochanova and Igor Sergienko, are also responsible for overseeing the situation in the Vitebsk region. They lead the relevant working group, and Igor Sergienko is also the authorized representative of the head of state in the Vitebsk region.

"Go around the Vitebsk region, exercise control. Give the governor advice, recommend, but don't put pressure on him. I promised him: any pressure on him will be bad for those who put pressure on him. The governor is there today, we sent him there," the President said. "Dmitry Nikolayevich (Head of the Presidential Administration Dmitry Krutoy - BelTA note) introduced him there. I know that they sent the former governor off with a big round of applause: "Ah, what a good man!"
Alexander Lukashenko noted that Alexander Subbotin, who until recently headed the region, is a truly wonderful person, and the head of state was comfortable working with him, not to mention the deputy prime minister and minister responsible for the agro-industrial complex.
The President addressed the deputy chairperson of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Anzhelika Nikitina: "Ms. Nikitina, for your information, so that you understand that a good person is not yet a good professional." Then the head of state announced some figures: "So that you know, The Vitebsk region received 15 billion Belarusian rubles in state support of all kinds, ranging from industry (Naftan), raw material procurement, agriculture , and so on. To avoid financial collapse, 2 billion Belarusian rubles were restructured (meaning the President agreed that you would not pay) – a corresponding decree was issued. And you promised to repay this money within five years according to the schedule . But you only repaid 146 million Belarusian rubles.

"You can applaud as much as you like. But numbers are the cruelest thing. It was she (Anzhelika Nikitina - BelTA) who first counted and made proposals together with Kosinets and Sherstnev (who also previously headed the Vitebsk Region - BelTA). And then she ended up in the government . And then she came back. And I supported this, so that there would be someone to answer to. Please, tell the new governor how it all happened. So before you rejoice that, look, Subbotin protected the region from Kosinets and Sherstnev... God be with you! There is neither Kosinets nor Sherstnev there. And I remember when Subbotin, upon his appointment, uttered his famous phrase: "This is my region, my people, and it is my honor to raise this region up." And practically bring it to the forefront." The head of state also cited a number of other indicators that indicate the existence of problems in the Vitebsk Region. Moreover, he emphasized that he does not intend to hide these facts. "Because when I don't talk about it publicly, you think... You don't think - you know it's bad. But for some reason, local people think it's good. No, it's not good," the President explained.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that the government habitually reassures that "the Vitebsk region's key indicators are showing positive dynamics." "Investments, salaries, trade turnover... And what are you paying for?" he asked rhetorically. "Let's evaluate the work not by reports, but by specific actions."
The President specifically drew attention to the results of the production program, which directly affects the growth of all indicators and the stability of the economy: "At the end of the year, production volumes were reduced in almost all sectors of industry - minus 4%. In certain areas (oil refining, mechanical engineering) - by almost 20%.

Exactly one year ago - on February 3, 2025 - Vitebskdrev was shut down. "Where are you going to cut down the fallen trees lying on the edges of forests? Like back in the 1930s – people from above, people from below, and sawing them with long saws?" the head of state asked. " Exports
have plummeted to an indecent level – by half . This means the country has lost almost $2 billion (statistically, it's $1.9 billion). There have been no improvements in agriculture – minus 2.7%. Nationally, agriculture is up two percent. A five-percent discrepancy. And that's compared to last year, which was also a disaster. And last year was even worse. And it's all gone downhill. Give yourselves a round of applause!" Alexander Lukashenko listed a number of other negative factors in the Vitebsk region's economy. He emphasized that the decline occurred in key areas: meat, milk, livestock numbers, and feed availability.  "Unfortunately, against the backdrop of such dismal results, neither zeal nor initiative is visible. Nor are there any signs of improvement," the Belarusian leader noted. /To be updated/.