Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday praised the relationship between Russia and Belarus, two neighbours whose ties have grown ever closer since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Putin made the comments at a press conference in Moscow with the longtime ruler of Belarus,

During the talks, Lukashenko claimed that Russia’s Kursk Oblast would be "completely liberated in just a few days." He also asserted that the United States has "no solution" for Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko met at the Kremlin. One topic of their discussion was the potential ceasefire in Ukraine, but they also decided to deepen cooperation between Russia and Belarus.

Belarus will not formally merge with Russia in the near future, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko said on March 14 while addressing the Russian Federation Council. "If we are going to burst through this open door,

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has declared that integration between Belarus and Russia must become irreversible.