Briefly

RUSSIA

Putin, Lukashenko set to meet in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko have agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks, the Kremlin said on Sunday. In a phone call on Sunday, the two leaders agreed they should strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation. Meanwhile, the Belarusian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Sunday that a complex tactical military exercise in the Western Grodno region had entered an active phase over fears of a possible invasion. Last month, citing concerns over foreign interference in the country's internal affairs, Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin ordered the large drills. Following mass protests, Lukashenko has repeatedly warned of an invasion from countries that border Belarus in the West.