PUTIN MAKES RARE VISIT TO BELARUS
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a rare trip Monday to Moscow’s ally Belarus as his forces pursued their campaign to bombard Ukraine from the air amid a stalemate almost 10 months into the war.
Putin’s visit to Minsk came hours after Russia’s latest drone attack on Ukraine. Moscow has been targeting Ukraine’s power grid since October as part of a strategy to deprive the country of heat and power during winter.
His trip could herald more military support for the Kremlin war effort, after Belarus provided Russia with a launching pad for the invasion of Ukraine in February.
Putin said he and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko discussed forming “a single defense space” in the region but rejected claims that Moscow was poised to swallow its neighbor.
“Russia isn’t interested in any kind of merger, it’s not feasible,” Putin said.
Putin said that he supported Lukashenko’s proposal to train the crews of Belarusian warplanes that have been modified for using special warheads — a reference to nuclear weapons.
Earlier this year, Russia and Belarus announced a plan to modernize Belarusian
aircraft to make them nuclear-capable. Lukashenko said Belarusian crews have been training with Russia to operate those planes modified to carry nuclear weapons.
Lukashenko thanked Putin for providing his military with Iskander shortrange missiles and S-400 air defense systems. He also said the countries agreed to continue holding joint military exercises.
Belarus is believed to have Soviet-era weapons stockpiles that could be useful for Moscow. Lukashenko, meanwhile, needs help with his country’s ailing economy.
Sitting beside Lukashenko, Putin emphasized their close militarytechnical ties. He said they include not only mutual supplies of equipment but also joint work in high-tech military industries.