The presidential spokesman reported that Putin arrived in Minsk, where he was received by Lukashenko right next to the plane, and they immediately held a private exchange.

This Friday, Both leaders will discuss the future development of Russian-Belarusian relations of strategic partnership and alliance, the progress and prospects of integration interaction within the Union State, and key issues on the international agenda.

The talks between the two heads of state will be held at the Independence Palace in Minsk, first in a reduced format and then in an expanded one.

Putin and Lukashenko will also address joint trade promotion, economic and cooperation projects, security strengthening, and humanitarian field cooperation.

A key topic at the meeting will be the situation in Eastern Europe, the war in Ukraine, and the joint response to new challenges and threats, as well as conducting joint maneuvers with tactical nuclear weapons, Peskov said.

llp/jha/gfa