The Kremlin reaffirmed its backing of Alexander Lukashenko as the leaders of Russia and Belarus met in Sochi today.
Vladimir Putin said Moscow will grant a loan worth USD 1.5 billion to the neighboring state. He also backed Lukashenko’s initiative to reform the Belarusian constitution, which Lukashenko has launched while facing a large-scale protest movement.
Putin described Lukashenko’s initiative as “logical, timely, appropriate”.
“I am sure that, considering your political experience, the work in this direction would be organized on the highest possible level”, - he told Lukashenko at the joint press conference.