During a visit to Minsk to meet with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko – an important ally – Russian President Vladmir Putin said that “Russia has no interest in absorbing anyone. Does not make sense".
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The Russian president stated that, after a “substantial” dialogue, Russia and Belarus agreed to strengthen cooperation in “all areas”, especially on defense issues.
These are “common measures to ensure the security” of countries, the “mutual delivery of weapons” and the manufacture of weapons, Putin explained.
Russia will continue to train Belarusian military personnel to pilotair planes capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
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Partner in tight skirt
Belarus, an important ally of Moscow, lent its territory as rearguard for the offensive against Ukraine in late February. So far, Minsk troops have not been involved in fighting on Ukrainian soil.
The biggest problem now is the pressure that Lukashenko faces from the Russians to send such troops to Ukrainian territory.
The autocrat has a dilemma ahead of him: he needs Putin's support to maintain power and he also needs his troops inside Belarus to repress opponents of his regime.
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To show strength, the Belarusian president said in a meeting with Putin: “If anyone thought they could separate us, that they could drive a wedge between us, they won’t be able to.”
With AFP
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