Belarusian President
On Thursday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko journeyed to Russia for a significant meeting with his close ally, President Vladimir Putin, as reported by state media.
This visit comes amid a series of diplomatic and political maneuvers by Lukashenko aimed at mitigating tensions with Western nations.
These moves are seen as a response to the sanctions imposed on Belarus for permitting Russian troops to use its territory as a launchpad for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In recent weeks, Lukashenko has taken several actions that signal an attempt to improve his country’s relations with the West.
Earlier this month, he took the step of releasing five political prisoners, a move that could be interpreted as a gesture towards political reform.
Additionally, Lukashenko announced the withdrawal of additional Belarusian troops from the border with Ukraine and introduced a 90-day visa-free regime for citizens of 35 European countries, further signaling his intent to ease international tensions.
The visit to Russia also included a notable moment captured by the Belarusian state-run news agency Belta, which showed Lukashenko being warmly welcomed by St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov.
During his trip, Lukashenko was expected to engage in discussions with Putin on a variety of topics including the enhancement of bilateral relations, promotion of allied projects, regional security concerns, and broader international issues.
The Kremlin confirmed that Putin and Lukashenko met at the Valaam Monastery, located in Russia’s northern republic of Karelia.
This meeting was significant enough to be highlighted by Russia’s state-run news agency RIA Novosti. Ahead of Lukashenko’s arrival, the Kremlin released a video depicting Putin engaging with priests at the monastery.
According to Zvezda, a broadcaster linked to the Russian Defense Ministry, the visit included a solemn moment where Putin and Lukashenko visited a church dedicated to Russian soldiers who had sacrificed their lives for their faith and homeland.
This visit to Valaam Monastery was not the first for the two leaders; they had previously visited the site together in July 2019 and again in July 2023.
The choice of location underscores the continuing importance of their personal and political alliance amidst the complex geopolitical landscape.
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