End Ukraine war through negotiations, PM tells Lavrov

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged Russia to find a way to stop the Russia-Ukraine war peacefully through negotiations.

She made the call when Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov paid a courtesy call on her at the latter's official residence Ganabhaban on Friday morning.

Sheikh Hasina said it is necessary to stop the war and establish peace as soon as possible. The world is suffering due to the food and fuel crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, war and economic sanctions and counter-sanctions, the PM's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Jahid Tusher told the media after the meeting.

The premier asked for making a special consideration of the economic risks the LDCs and developing countries including African nations are facing due to the crises of food grains, fertiliser and energy induced by the war, sanctions and counter-sanctions as well as for finding a way out of it, UNB reports.

Appreciating Bangladesh's stance on the Russia-Ukraine war issue, Lavrov said Bangladesh's position on the war is "balanced and responsible".

In this context, Sheikh Hasina referred to Bangladesh's foreign policy of "Friendship with all, malice towards none" framed by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She said her government has been upholding this policy firmly and working for the country's economy and its overall development, maintaining good relations with all.

She expressed her gratitude to Russia for standing beside Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War and contributing to removing mines from Chittagong and Mongla sea ports after the war.

Russia is a long-time trusted and tested friend of Bangladesh, said the prime minister.

Noting Bangabandhu's visit to Russia in 1972 and her visits to Russia in 1982 and 2013, both of them put emphasis on strengthening the bilateral ties between the two countries.

In this context, the PM urged Russia to increase trade and investment in Bangladesh.

In response, Lavrov said Bangladesh is Russia's second largest trade and investment partner in South Asia. Russia is thinking about what other products alongside readymade garments it can import from Bangladesh, he said, asking the Bangladeshi businesspeople to come up with specific proposals in this regard.

Lavrov pays respect to Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi-32

He also called for specific investment proposals in special economic zones and hi-tech parks in Bangladesh.

The Russian FM emphasised on increasing communication between the businessmen of the two countries in terms of increasing trade and investment.

In the meeting, the latest progress of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant was discussed and it was noted that the nuclear fuel for the plant will come in the first week of October next in the first phase.

The PM invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate virtually in a programme to be organised on the occasion of the arrival of nuclear fuel.

Lavrov thanked Bangladesh for building a nuclear power plant with the support of Russia.

He praised the overall progress of Bangladesh including socio-economic, infrastructure under the leadership of PM Hasina.

Noting a 3,00,000-ton wheat import agreement with Russia, the prime minister called for a long-term agreement on import of fertilisers from Russia as well.

While talking about energy cooperation, Lavrov assured that Russia will support Bangladesh in meeting its energy needs.

Lavrov arrived in Dhaka on Thursday evening on a two-day visit, the first by a Russian foreign minister since Bangladesh's independence in 1971.

Lavrov's visit is seen as an important development amid the changed global scenario following the Russian-Ukraine war and subsequent US-led sanctions on Moscow.

The war has severely impacted Bangladesh's economy, causing soaring inflation, depleting central bank reserves, and devaluing the local currency.

Bangladesh spent an additional $8 billion on the import of fuel and food grains due to the war, said prime minister's power and energy Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury recently.

A study by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies revealed that the spike in global commodity prices caused by the war pushed around 30 lakh people into poverty in Bangladesh.

The price of fertiliser in Bangladesh has risen by 105%, sugar by 60%, and petrol by 47% due to the Russia-Ukraine war, according to a study by ActionAid.

From Dhaka, Lavrov is flying to India to attend the G20 Summit in New Delhi on 9-10 September.

PM Hasina will also join the summit as an invited guest of host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.