Putin to meet Lukashenko in Belarus on Monday

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Belarus on Monday for talks with his counterpart and ally Alexander Lukashenko, the Kremlin said, reports AFP.

Moscow announced the pair will discuss Russian-Belarusian integration "as well as current topics on the international and regional agenda".

The visit comes 10 months into Russia's offensive in Ukraine, which was launched from several directions, including Belarusian territory.

Minsk had announced the visit earlier on Friday and the presidential office said the leaders will hold one-on-one talks as well as wider negotiations with their ministers on "Belarusian-Russian integration".

Moscow and Minsk have committed to a range of programmes for deeper economic and defence cooperation.

Belarus said the "presidents will also give priority to security issues and exchange views on the situation in the region and the world" but did not mention Ukraine.

Lukashenko later said that while the talks will be centred around the economy, the "military-political situation around our countries", would also be discussed.

The longtime leader vowed to stand by Moscow but maintained that the autonomy of Belarus is not compromised.

"The sovereignty and independence of Belarus are unshakable," Lukashenko said in comments published by his office.

"At the same time, Belarus will never be an enemy of Russia."

His critics have accused him of trading off Belarusian sovereignty in closer union talks with Minsk's bigger Russian neighbour.

Lukashenko, in power since 1994, has repeatedly said he did not intend to send Belarusian troops into Ukraine. Putin last visited Belarus in the summer of 2019.