Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow & Minsk discuss ways to bolster their military capabilities

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu met his Belarusian counterpart Viktor Khrenin, on Thursday, and underscored need to strengn ir military capabilities in wake of an "undeclared war" by West. After meeting in Moscow, Shoigu also termed Belarus as Russia's "most important strategic partner, closest friend and ally." He furr claimed that bilateral collaboration between two nations is developing despite undeclared war by West. 

"Circumstances dictate necessity of urgent measures to fortify defence capabilities of Union State, including reinforcement of an integrated air defence system," Shoigu stated, ding that Russia is rey to provide any support Belarus might need, RT News reported. He also extended an invitation to delegation from Minsk to attend next Moscow Security Conference and International Army Games. defence minister stated that Russia will share its "best practices" and or learnings with its allies re. Meanwhile, Shoigu also praised Belarus for its will to oppose "hostile course taken by United States and its allies." 

West trying to influence Minsk by means of psychological operations: Lukashenko 

It should be noted here that US and its allies have also imposed numerous sanctions on Belarus for supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Belarusian President Aleksander Lukashenko has alleged that collective West is trying to influence Minsk by means of psychological operations using techniques that sway people's minds. Speaking at a session on country's information policy on May 31, he stressed need to develop countermeasures in field of information space. Belarusian President went on to say that country needs to discuss a furr strategy to combat modern threats in field of national security.

Russia-Belarus relations

Notably, Union State pact, which was signed by Russia and Belarus in 1999, called for creation of a joint cabinet, parliament, courts, and or institutions. Although integration has not yet reached that point, Moscow and Minsk, last year, unveiled new steps to solidify ir union.

According to Belarusian Foreign Ministry, strategic alliance between Minsk and Moscow is based on a number of factors, including ir shared geographic location, strong historical and cultural ties, as well as ir economic ties and corporate collaboration.

(Image: @wwwmodgovaz/Facebook/AP)