Putin, Lukashenko hold long talks on defense, economic ties

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
6 Apr 2023 17:45

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart hold talks on boosting their economic cooperation and defense ties.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attend a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Russia and Belarus at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, April 6, 2023 (Reuters)

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko held long talks on expanding the economic ties and boosting the defense cooperation between their countries on Wednesday.

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the meeting as "very long and informative."

"Yesterday, as you know, there was a very, very long and substantive conversation between the two presidents. It finished well past midnight," Peskov told a briefing.

The top Russian diplomat further assured that the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus was not tackled during the Union State’s Supreme State Council meeting on Thursday.

Peskov also commented on whether the deployment of US nuclear weapons in Europe causes concern in the Kremlin by saying, "It does cause concern; Russia will respond appropriately."

US should withdraw its nuclear weapons overseas

On his account, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he tackled security and defense issues with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"We held fundamental talks with Vladimir Vladimirovich yesterday. We discussed issues of a closed nature, paid more attention to security issues, the development of the military-industrial complex and the defense of the Union State," he said at a meeting of the Supreme State Council.

On the issue of nuclear weapons, the Belarusian President said he agrees with French President Emmanuel Macron, stressing that the United States must withdraw its nuclear weapons from the countries where they are deployed.

It is worth noting that Macron stated earlier in the day that countries should not deploy nuclear weapons overseas.

"I agree with him. Therefore, Americans should withdraw all nuclear weapons from five or six countries where they are located," Lukashenko told journalists.

The Belarusian leader also touched on the issue of weapons flowing from Ukraine to Belarus.

"Yesterday I told the president [Russian President Vladimir Putin] that weapons are flowing from Ukraine. Into Russia, and through Russia to us — our border with Ukraine is closed. Weapons went through Bryansk and other [Russian] regions," Lukashenko said.

Putin publicizes plans to create a security concept for Union State

On his account, Putin said that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has brought up the topic of expanding some Union State security projects.

"Russia and Belarus are building up, and will continue to do so, as noted today, their interaction in the field of defense and security, expanding cooperation in the military sphere, and this certainly meets the fundamental interests of our countries and peoples, it is really important given the difficult international situation today,” Putin added.

In light of rising tensions, the Russian President declared on Thursday that there are plans to develop a security concept for the Union State.

"In this context, the issue of the beginning of the preparation of the security concept of the Union State, which was put on the agenda of the meeting and considered today, is of great importance. This document is meant to formulate the fundamental tasks of our cooperation in the sphere of growing tensions on external borders of our states, the sanctions and information war unleashed against us," Putin said.

This comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russian tactical nuclear weapons would be placed in Belarus, with the storage sites for weapons expected to be finished by July 1.

Simultaneously, Russia transferred the Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system that is capable of using nuclear missiles to the Belarusian armed forces.

According to the Russian President, the move does not breach Russia's commitments to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons since Moscow will not hand over control of the weapons to Minsk.

Washington has denounced the plan, with the EU threatening Belarus with sanctions, although the Pentagon and NATO noted that there are no indications that Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons.

But Belarus confirmed that the decision comes in response to years of Western pressure, including sanctions, as well as the military-build up by NATO member states near its borders.