The Kremlin has not yet set a firm date for the meeting between the presidents of Russia and Belarus, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, according to Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for the Russian leader. Peskov said that authorities would share the timing in due course, keeping the public informed through official channels as soon as there is a confirmed schedule. This update aligns with the Russian side’s practice of confirming such diplomatic engagements only when all logistics are in place, as reported by TASS.
In recent remarks Lukashenko indicated on July 13 that he intended to discuss with Putin the next steps regarding the situation in Ukraine. He suggested that Ukraine should be engaged in negotiations without delay, emphasizing that Russians and Belarusians do not view Ukrainians as enemies and that Russia is prepared to participate in talks at the negotiating table. Lukashenko described the possibility of a diplomatic pathway as a priority and stressed the importance of dialogue to ease tensions in the region. [Source: TASS]
Earlier comments from Lukashenko referred to a reduction in tensions on the Ukrainian border following Kyiv’s withdrawal of troops from the Belarus-Ukraine boundary. He stated that Belarus currently faces no unresolved issues with Ukraine and noted that Belarusian forces have been redeployed from southern border positions to a permanent deployment site as a precautionary measure. The Belarusian leadership framed these moves as confidence-building steps aimed at stabilizing the border environment and reinforcing regional security through diplomacy. [Source: TASS]
Additionally, Kremlin officials responded to remarks attributed to Ukrainian military intelligence chief Andriy Budanov regarding alleged attempts on Putin’s life, noting the sensitivity of security matters and the ongoing emphasis on safeguarding the leadership. The exchange highlighted the broader context in which both Moscow and Minsk publicly discuss security concerns while pursuing strategic dialogue with their neighbors. [Source: TASS]