Alexander Lukashenko claims ‘breakthrough’ on union between Belarus and Russia

Name: Belarus protests enter ninth week, as President Lukashenko meets political opponents in jail
Uploaded: 2021-09-09T20:11:42.000Z
Duration: 3 min 35 s
Description: Belarus protests enter ninth week, as President Lukashenko meets political opponents in jail

The leader met Putin in Moscow on Thursday, seeking support amid sanctions imposed by the West

Some 28 programmes have been worked out, according to Lukashenko, who said the agreements with Russia would not lead to a loss of the country’s independence

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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin walk in the hall during a joint press conference in the Kremlin on Thursday. Photo: AP

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Published: 4:11am, 10 Sep 2021Updated: 4:11am, 10 Sep 2021

Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday, in a renewed bid for support amid sanctions imposed by the West in the aftermath of disputed elections a year ago.

Lukashenko announced a “breakthrough” at the start of the meeting, referring to a union state with Russia, a project long in the planning.

Some 28 programmes have been worked out, according to Lukashenko, the long-time authoritarian leader of Belarus.

He has recently made numerous concessions in talks with Putin, who met him with a smile and a warm embrace in the fifth meeting of the two leaders this year.

03:35

Belarus protests enter ninth week, as President Lukashenko meets political opponents in jail

Lukashenko said the overall package for the confederation could be adopted at the highest level at the end of October, saying “this will be a breakthrough, a breakthrough in many spheres.”

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