Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian presidency ( the Kremlin), said that both the Russian presidents, Vladimir Putin, and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko, began their talks in Sochi, Russia today. The two leaders seek to merge their countries into a unifies state with one army.
Peskov indicated that the meeting has no scheduled time limits.
The Belarusian president's plane landed at Sochi airport earlier today, in the first journey of Lukashenko outside his country after his victory, in early August, in the presidential elections.
Putin and his guest will hold a "face to face" meeting to discuss the pivotal aspects of the development of relations between the two allied countries, and the strategic partnership between them.
The meeting is expected to focus on the prospects for integration between Russia and Belarus within the framework of the federal state and the most prominent joint projects in the commercial, economic, cultural and humanitarian fields, as well as projects in the energy field.
Signing of official documents or holding a joint press conference at the end of the meeting will not part of the event.
The Belarusian president had previously announced that he intended to "put points on the letters" on some sensitive issues in relations between Moscow and Minsk.
The Coordinating Council of the Belarusian Opposition announced its interest in transferring its position to Russia, calling on Moscow to support "real political dialogue" in Belarus.
A statement issued by the Coordination Council on its website read: It is important for us that the opinion of a critical part of Belarusian society is heard and taken into account in Russia.
There is no doubt that the position of our partners and allies on the foreign policy level is important for the Belarusian people, the future of Belarus relations with Russia.
The statement added that the sincere support (by Russia) for a real dialogue - not a false one - between the various political forces inside the country will help restore the situation in Belarus to normal as soon as possible.
The Council stressed that it had never looked to harm relations between Minsk and Moscow. It stressed its support for "developing Belarusian-Russian relations in all fields.
The Council was formed on August 14, at the initiative of the former candidate in the Belarusian presidential elections, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.
She refused to recognize the results of the ballot , according to the Central Elections Commission, the current President Alexander Lukashenko after receiving 80% of the vote.
On the other hand, the Belarusian Public Prosecution has opened a criminal file against the Council, which announced that its goal is to ensure the transfer of power in the country.
The Council calls on opposition supporters to continue the protests (which began in the capital Minsk and other Belarusian cities immediately after the election results were announced on August 9), until the authority agrees to hold new elections.
The issuance of the councils statement coincided with the arrival of Lukashenko, to the Russian resort of Sochi for a face-to-face meeting with Putin.
Tikhanovskaya, who is also the leader of the Belarusian opposition, on Monday sent a letter to Putin as he held a meeting with Lukashenko.
In her message, Tikhanovskaya, said that any decisions taken during Lukashenkos visit to Russia "will be null and void," and that all agreements signed by Lukashenko "will be reviewed by the new government.
She noted that the citizens of Belarus "have withdrawn confidence from Lukashenko and refused to support him in the elections.
Tikhanovskaya expressed her deep regret to Putin that he decided to conduct a dialogue with the dictator, not with the Belarusian people.
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