Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on Friday pledged to restore stability in Belarus over the coming months.
The former Soviet republic has been gripped by economic uncertainty of late. In spring, the Belarusian government was forced to devalue the national currency, freeze prices on some staple foods and introduce fuel rationing in a bid to keep the lid on a deepening financial crisis.
Economic woes came amid a crackdown on the country’s opposition.
“In the next few months we will completely stabilize the situation,” Lukashenko said ahead of Belarus Independence Day, celebrated on July 3. “Belarus has not been forced into a corner…as some would like.”
The Belarusian ruble collapsed in the first five months of the year as the result of a large trade deficit, generous wage increases and loans granted by the government ahead of the December 2010 presidential elections.
