Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that he plans to discuss security issues with his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, during his visit to Minsk.
"A lot [in the Russia-Belarus relationship] has been done by our colleagues [Russian and Belarusian government officials] recently with our direct participation and support. Today and tomorrow, we will discuss all this, including security issues, to which you pay significant attention. There is also a lot to talk about here. Everything is stable and going well with us," Putin told a meeting with Lukashenko taking place at Minsk Airport.
The Russian president added that they plan to discuss the participation of Belarus in the upcoming exercises on the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons.
"We will talk about the second phase of the exercises. It is related to the direct participation of our Belarusian friends and colleagues in the military area in these events," Putin said.
He also thanked Lukashenko for "the opportunity to arrive in the evening, talk informally and chat."
"After I had such a meeting with members of the government after talks with our Arab friends, we were just talking about my visit to you," the Russian president said.
Putin added that almost all areas of cooperation with Minsk were discussed, including cooperation in industry, energy, agriculture, and security issues. The Russian leader said some government officials will come to participate in the talks in Minsk on Friday, while those who will not come sent their greetings and wished prosperity to Belarus.
"We have a very big agenda. I am glad I had a chance to come today," Putin said.
Lukashenko echoed Putin, saying that the security agenda will prevail during his talks with the Russian leader.
"I think that, as usual, [we will bring] security issues to the front," Lukashenko told a meeting with Putin at Minsk Airport after the arrival of the Russian leader.
Lukashenko added that issues pertaining to the economy will be discussed during a meeting in an extended format.
During the meeting, Lukashenko made a remark that there is such a tradition in his relations with Putin that there is no time to start talks in the daytime, and they start around midnight.
"I do not think it is a big deal, it is just that you have had a hard day, complex negotiations with King of Bahrain [Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa]," the Belarusian president said, but Putin noted that the talks with Bahrain's leader were pleasant.
The Belarusian leader welcomed Putin to Belarus, saying that "the Belarusian people will be happy to know that you have come to us." Lukashenko said the talks will include "relations with China," adding that he has "very interesting proposals for our region and further, the Transcaucasian region."
Putin arrived in Minsk late on Thursday for a two-day state visit. Lukashenko met the Russian president at the airport, after which the leaders exchanged views on the topics they would like to discuss during the upcoming talks. After a short conversation at the airport, Putin and Lukashenko continued to communicate in an informal setting, a Sputnik correspondent reported.