The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the inking of the protocol, which envisages amendments to the regional security agreement signed with Belarus in 1997.

In a statement on the protocol signed between Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin in Minsk, Sergey Shoigu said, “Alliance relations with Belarus gained importance against unprecedented pressure from the West and the war declared against the union states. Belarus has always been our reliable partner and it continues to be.”

Shoigu appreciated Minsk’s stance against the pressure exerted by the USA and its allies against Belarus, as well as Russia.

Shoigu also said that the soldiers of the regional security group are conducting combat coordination activities on the territory of Belarus.