Lukashenko charms Putin during Victory Day as Belarus aligns closer
"You and I still do not look bad," said Alexander Lukashenko, greeting Vladimir Putin. The Belarusian dictator took part in the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow.
On May 9, at 8 AM Greenwich Time, a military parade marched through Red Square in Moscow to mark the 79th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany. In the 21st Victory Day Parade, which Putin watched as the president of Russia, more than 9,000 soldiers and over 70 military vehicles participated.
Among the guests were leaders from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Lukashenko ingratiates himself with Putin
On the eve of the parade, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko met with Vladimir Putin. A video of their greeting, during which Lukashenko ingratiated himself to the Russian dictator, has been circulating on social media. "We still look pretty good," Lukashenko flatters Putin.
According to Russian media, Putin talked with Lukashenko until 1 AM the next day, Greenwich Time, about Ukraine and the situation at the front. The discussion also included Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the Chief of the General Staff of Russia, Gen. Valery Gerasimov.
Earlier, Putin declared that Belarus would join Russia's nuclear exercises. "The Belarusian side will participate in one of them at the request of President Lukashenko," he stated.
