«We are grateful to him [president of Belarus] for the efforts Aleksandr Lukashenko is making in this direction, particularly with regard to humanitarian issues, specifically, the exchange of prisoners of war,» Vladimir Putin said.

He noted that the Minsk agreements were signed in the Belarusian capital in 2014, and that negotiations on settling the Ukrainian conflict also started in Minsk in 2022. «It is important that Belarus has always been ready to host negotiations. I am confident that, should negotiations ever take place, we will be able to utilize Belarus’ potential. I am aware of Aleksandr Lukashenko’s stance. He is prepared to fully support anything that contributes to resolving disputes through peaceful means,» the Russian president stressed.

Vladimir Putin also addressed the threats coming from Kiev against Minsk. He noted that the issue had not been explored in depth during his conversations with the Belarusian leader at Valdai. «He [Aleksandr Lukashenko] takes it all in stride, very calmly, measuredly, and judiciously,» the Russian president remarked.