Political analyst Aleksandr Shpakovsky spent about an hour and a half in a lively discussion with employees of local organizations and enterprises during a meeting at Vitebsk State Medical University on 30 July, BelTA has learned.
Participants discussed the military-political situation, labor migration, Belarus’ social and economic development, and the impact of Western sanctions on the country.
Regional development was of particular interest to residents Vitebsk Oblast. Responding to related questions, Aleksandr Shpakovsky stressed that the development of the regions remains a priority. “The 2026-2030 social and economic development program of Belarus contains a dedicated section on regional development. ‘Strong regions mean a strong country’ is not just a slogan. It is a belta.bystate strategy. The president pays close attention to the development of the Vitebsk Oblast. My immediate supervisor in parliament, Igor Sergeyenko, is a native of the Vitebsk Oblast and serves as the president’s authorized representative in Vitebsk Oblast. We are committed to building on the competitive advantages of the oblast and the achievements created by its hardworking people while addressing and overcoming the shortcomings that you are also well aware of,” he said.The arrival of migrant workers from Uzbekistan, including in the Vitebsk Oblast, also attracted considerable attention. Answering a question from the audience, Aleksandr Shpakovsky explained why Belarus is interested in attracting foreign labor. “We have set ambitious goals. Belarus has a small, export-oriented and open economy. We need to sell more than 70% of what we produce on foreign markets. This enables us to increase real disposable incomes, maintain international reserves at an adequate level and implement social programs. If we want to continue growing, we must produce more, better, more efficiently and faster. Take note that Belarus currently has 165,000 job vacancies. We need to find solutions. Most of all, about 70%, we need working specialties. Attracting foreign labor is not the only option, but it is one of the instruments of state policy,” he emphasized.
One of the guests asked about import substitution. “Will ordinary people feel the benefits? Will prices go down?” she asked.Aleksandr Shpakovsky noted that most food products on Belarusian store shelves are domestically produced, although imported goods, including dairy and meat products from neighboring countries, are also available. “We have products for every budget. Some are more expensive, others are more affordable. Inflation is currently at its lowest level. If we are talking about producing high-quality Belarusian alternatives without affecting pricing, then each product category should be considered separately. Prices, especially for socially important goods, are regularly monitored. Frankly speaking, one of our key objectives is to bring the Vitebsk Oblast in line with other regions of the country and help the regions catch up with Minsk,” he said.
Some participants also asked how the country would continue to develop under Western sanctions. “The government is pursuing closer cooperation with Russia and China, and this is one of the reasons why the West has imposed various political and economic sanctions on Belarus. At least for as long as the world remains in a period of civilizational confrontation. Another reason is economic competition. Even a relatively small country like Belarus is a significant player in a number of sectors, including dairy products and potash fertilizers. That makes us a competitor to others. So sanctions certainly affect us, but we are coping with the sanctions pressure,” Aleksandr Shpakovsky said.
Another question focused on the special military operation and what the continuation of the conflict could mean for Belarus. “I will not hide from you that we have received military threats from Kiev. There were threats to strike targets on the territory of our country. Another stage of escalation came at the end of June this year,” Aleksandr Shpakovsky said. He emphasized that the president responded to these threats calmly, demonstrated considerable restraint and did not alter his plans.
In the expert’s opinion, any measures aimed at strengthening Belarus’ defense capabilities are justified under the current circumstances. “As for the future, we can say with certainty that the Russian-American negotiation process has reached a deadlock. Moreover, in my personal opinion, the United States once again used diplomatic talks to help reboot Kiev’s military system,” the political analyst said.
Tatyana Radchenko shared her impressions of the meeting. “I saw the prospects of the Oblast and many positive factors that will contribute to its development. The security of our country is the top priority for everyone. The main message today was that we are safe. Our borders are protected. We live under peaceful skies where all conditions for life are in place, and our children will grow up in a good environment,” she said.
