Putin and Lukashenko deepen security ties amid Ukraine tension
The meeting between Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko concluded with a press conference. Russia and Belarus signed security agreements.
- We thoroughly reviewed nearly all the main issues of bilateral cooperation in the economy, as well as in the cultural and humanitarian spheres, and in the areas of security and defence. We exchanged views on current international and regional issues - said Putin during the press conference following the Russian-Belarusian discussions.
- I am very grateful, President Putin, because you did everything you promised. You have always been a model for us, a model of successful integration. This is how we should collaborate between our ministries - said Alexander Lukashenko during the conference.
- We also discussed the conflict in Ukraine. We will continue to work on it today and tomorrow with Mr. Putin. We discussed the prospects, and I would also like to say this. We should not expect too much, but we must trust the facts. We simply need to consider the facts. That is the most important thing. All these statements and promises are just hollow words - the dictator stated regarding the war in Ukraine.
- Ukrainians must understand that we are returning to negotiations after three years. We must take into account the current military and economic situation. For the past years, we have been under immense pressure - added Lukashenko.
