Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel next Monday to Belarus, his ally in the Ukraine conflict, the Belarusian presidential press service announced on Friday. Vladimir Putin will meet his counterpart Alexander Lukashenko at the Minsk Palace of Independence during “his working visit to Belarus”, specifies the press service.
Bilateral discussions will focus on “Russian-Belarusian integration” as the two countries have concluded several cooperation agreements in the economic and military fields.
“The presidents will also prioritize security issues and exchange views on the situation in the region and the world,” the statement added, without specifically mentioning the Ukrainian conflict.
Belarus served as a rear base for Russian troops in their offensive into Ukraine launched in late February, but the Belarusian army has not taken part in the fighting on Ukrainian soil so far.
In mid-October, Belarus and Russia announced the creation of a joint military force, with a purely “defensive” purpose according to Minsk.
Source: BFM TV
