Putin: Russia Doesn’t Seek to Annex Belarus

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin refuted the allegations of Russia planning to annex Belarus, stressing that Moscow does not seek this.

Putin added that these allegations fall within the opponents' attempts to obstruct the integration of the two countries within the Federation of Russia and Belarus.

Following his meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk today, Monday, Putin stated that his country “has no interest in annexing anyone. This is not feasible today.”

The issue does not consist in annexation, but rather in coordinating economic policies, pointing out that this happens within other groupings as well, according to the Russian president.

Putin highlighted that the allegations about Russia's intention to annex Belarus are "nonsense and attempts by our opponents to obstruct integration" between the two countries within the framework of the Federation of Russia and Belarus.

It is noteworthy that Putin arrived in Minsk today, Monday, and discussed with his Belarusian counterpart strategic issues in the fields of economy and defence.