MINSK, September 29. /TASS/. Russia and China have always extended a helping hand to Belarus, and Minsk will reciprocate, President Alexander Lukashenko said during a meeting with Russia’s Ulyanovsk Region Governor Alexey Russkikh.

"Such is our fate. We are located in the center of Europe. As I often say, neighbors are a gift from God since you can't choose them. We must strive to maintain good relations with our neighbors, which is exactly what we are doing. The West doesn’t want such relations with us. God be with them; that’s their business. But no matter who we’re talking to - I’ve also discussed this with the Americans recently - Russia is always set apart, along with China. They have always extended a helping hand to us and supported us. We will respond in kind to our Russian brothers, the Chinese people, and others in the East," the Telegram channel Pul Pervogo, which is close to the Belarusian leader's press service, quoted the head of state as saying.