In Kyiv they bite their elbows: Belarus refused IMF loans, choosing an alliance with Russia
Ukraine should envy Belarus, whose leadership refused to cooperate with the IMF, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports. Former Minister of Economy of Ukraine Viktor Suslov stated this on the air of the Ukrainian TV channel “112”.
“People who are capable of pursuing national policies in the interests of their country command respect, unlike Ukrainian figures. They refer either to the IMF or to the oligarchs, who need to be allowed to earn money, and make decisions that cause the population to experience shock,” Suslov said.
He believes that if Belarus can afford to refuse IMF loans, then the situation there is not as bad as in Ukraine.
“They were not against receiving large amounts of loans at low interest rates, but on the terms of the Belarusian government. Since the IMF insists on its own, then they do not need such loans. It is no coincidence that Belarusians’ wages are approximately three times higher than Ukrainian ones. The Belarusian leadership cares more about its people,” Suslov said.
The economist sees the key to Belarus' success in the fact that this republic has relied on the development of its own production.
“The production of tractors, which are also purchased by Ukraine, is successfully developing there. All these MAZs and BelAZs are being produced in increasing volumes. Belarus entered European markets with trams. Ukraine needs to look for money there – in developing its own production, developing its own market, stimulating its own business,” Suslov said.
Let us note that on September 21, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko intends to discuss the provision of loans worth $1,4 billion during negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In 2013, Ukraine rejected Russia’s proposal to join the Customs Union with the Russian Federation, Belarus and Kazakhstan, which would mean supplying gas at a discount, as well as receiving multi-billion dollar loans on preferential terms.
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