The presidents of Russia and Belarus, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, respectively, will hold a meeting next Monday in Minsk to address bilateral issues and the war in Ukraine, unleashed on February 24 by the invasion order signed by the Russian president.
According to information gathered by the Belarusian news agency BelTA, a first meeting is scheduled to be held with the participation of several ministers from both countries, after which the presidents will hold a face-to-face meeting. Afterwards, both will appear before the press to make statements.
Thus, the agenda includes items related to trade and economic cooperation, as well as issues on the energy sector and security, which is expected to focus on the conflict in Ukraine. Belarus, an ally of Moscow, has allowed the deployment of military personnel on its territory to support the offensive.
Putin ordered the start of the invasion of Ukraine days after recognizing the independence of the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, located in the Donbas region (east) and the scene of a conflict since 2014. Moscow announced in September the annexation of these regions and those of Kherson and Zaporiyia, partially occupied in the framework of the conflict.
