Introduction

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday that Kyiv’s counteroffensive had “failed,” as he began two-day talks with his Belarus counterpart and closest ally Alexander Lukashenko.

Meeting After Defeat of Russian Wagner Mercenaries

The longtime leaders met for the first time since Lukashenko helped end a mutiny by Russian Wagner mercenaries in Russia last month.

Putin Dismisses Counteroffensive

“There is no counteroffensive,” Lukashenko said, before being interrupted by Putin: “There is one, but it has failed.”

Meeting in St. Petersburg

The pair met in Putin’s native St. Petersburg, hours after the Russian army had struck Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa.

Discussion on Regional Security

In a sign of the importance of the meeting, Putin said he had “changed some of my plans” so that talks with Lukashenko could last two days. The Russian leader said the pair would discuss “security in our region.”

Belarus’ Control over Wagner Fighters

The Belarus strongman now hosts Wagner fighters on his territory, after brokering a deal that convinced its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to end a march on Moscow and exile himself to Belarus. Lukashenko said Minsk was “controlling” the situation with the notorious Wagner fighters, and restricting them to staying in the center of the reclusive country.

Concerns for Poland

Wagner’s presence in Belarus has rattled EU and NATO member Poland, which has strengthened its border. Both Putin and Lukashenko accused Warsaw of having territorial ambitions on Ukraine and Belarus, with the Belarusian strongman issuing a veiled threat.

Putin’s Vow to Defend Belarus

He thanked Putin for vowing to defend Belarus should it be attacked. The comments came two days after Putin said western Poland was a gift from Stalin. Lukashenko accused Poland of trying to “rip off a western chunk” of Ukraine.

Putin and Lukashenko’s Walkabout

After their talks, Putin and Lukashenko greeted crowds in the naval town and base of Kronstadt on Kotlin Island in a rare walkabout. Russia’s Kommersant newspaper posted a video of Putin and Lukashenko posing for photographs with people, with bodyguards standing nearby.

Conclusion

Asked about quarantine rules which the Russian leader has been keeping up strictly since the pandemic, Putin replied: “People are more important than quarantine.” Several days after Wagner had ended its mutiny last month, Putin met with adoring crowds in Dagestan in an apparent show of popularity.