Moscow, Russia /AFP
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Belarus on Monday for talks with his counterpart and ally Alexander Lukashenko, according to Belarus’ leader’s media office.
The media office stated on Friday that the two presidents will hold discussions at the Independence Palace in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, during Putin’s “work visit”.
The Kremlin confirmed in a statement that the negotiations will focus on “the main issues” for developing the “strategic partnership” between Minsk and Moscow, especially “integration” within the framework of the Russian-Belarusian Federation, an alliance that had brought together these two former Soviet republics since 1999.
Alexander Lukashenko, who’s been in power since 1994, stated that the talks will focus on economic cooperation, as well as the “military and political situation” of the two countries.
He stressed that Minsk’s independence was not threatened, while observers constantly talk about the possibility of unity between the two countries.
Lukashenko stated on Friday, during a government meeting, “The sovereignty and independence of Belarus are inviolable” as reported by his media office, and he added, “We will never be enemies of Russia”.
The two countries signed new cooperation agreements in the economic and military fields.