At the end of his visit to Minsk, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia and Belarus are working closely to ease the impact of Western sanctions on both countries.
“Russia and Belarus are working together to overcome illegal measures and sanctions against Russia and Belarus,” Putin said at a press conference with Belarusian Alexander Lukashenko, adding that he “has great confidence in this direction.” We are working with it,” he said.
“Our country is our closest ally and strategic partner,” Putin added.
He said there is a joint defense plan between Russia and Belarus and that Russia will “do everything for the joint security of the two countries.”
“Such measures are necessary because of the tense situation on the outer borders of the federal state,” he said.
Putin confirmed that Russia is currently conducting military exercises on Belarusian territory and that Russia and Belarus are jointly developing weapons.
“A final assessment of the combat capability and combat readiness of the unit will be made by the command in the final stages of coordination after the battalion’s tactical exercises have been conducted,” the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.
“Russia and Belarus will create one unified defense space,” Putin said when asked at a press conference.
Russia–Belarus relations: Russian troops have been stationed in Belarus for much of the year. In October, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense said 9,000 Russian troops were moving to the country as part of a “regional group” of troops to guard the border. It is stationed at an air force base or is a frequent visitor. According to Ukrainian officials, some of the recent cruise missile attacks against Ukraine have occurred in Belarus.
Putin said Russia was still the largest investor in Belarus, investing around $4 billion.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said 2022 was a record for Russia-Belarus relations at all levels, arguing that “sanctions have had a painful boomerang effect on their initiators.”
The European Union and the United States have imposed various sanctions on Belarus, mainly against high-ranking officials of the Lukashenko regime, air travel and some exports.
Lukashenko said, “We have to coordinate our efforts because Western groups have given us an ugly face.
Lukashenko added, “Russia can live without us, but it can’t live without Russia.”
