On the occasion of Belarusian Independence Day, Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed his wishes to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

A message on the Kremlin website read that "importantly, citizens of Russia and Belarus maintain and strengthen their ties of friendship and mutual assistance. Our countries are overcoming grave challenges and are standing up for their interests in the global arena by developing relations of strategic partnership and alliance."

The Russian president expressed optimism that the two nations will continue to create positive bilateral ties, enhance Union State institutions, and support Eurasian integration processes, according to the statement.