Putin thanks Lukashenko for Moscow visit to attend 9 May celebrations

MOSCOW, 8 May (BelTA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko for his visit to Moscow to take part in the 9 May celebrations during his talks with the Belarusian leader on 8 May, BelTA has learned.

“Dear Aleksandr Grigoryevich [Lukashenko], I am very glad to see you on the eve of our shared, most important holiday for our peoples - Victory Day of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War,” Vladimir Putin said, addressing Aleksandr Lukashenko.

The Russian leader noted that on 9 May the president of Belarus will attend the commemorative events on Red Square, and thanked him for it.

“I won’t say anything unexpected for you, but for our people, our citizens, it is nevertheless important. We didn’t officially invite anyone. We simply said that we would be glad to see everyone who wanted to come. This is especially relevant and natural in the current situation. I mean issues of ensuring security as well. Aleksandr Grigoryevich [Lukashenko], thank you for coming,” Vladimir Putin said.