Russia and Belarus discuss closer military and economic ties

Russia has maintained troops and weapons in Belarus and the two countries have regularly conducted joint drills as part of their military alliance

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko pose for a photo prior to their talks at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence, outside Moscow on Friday, February 17, 2023 (Vladimir Astapkovich, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP/PA)

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted neighbouring ally Belarus’s leader on Friday for talks on expanding military and economic cooperation amid the fighting in Ukraine.

Russia used Belarusian territory to send troops into Ukraine nearly a year ago at the start of what the Kremlin calls its “special military operation.”