Russian and Belarusian presidents Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko began talks in Moscow on Friday, BelTA news agency reported.

The leaders plan to discuss topical issues of bilateral relations, the development of allied cooperation, and economic cooperation under sanctions pressure. The agenda also includes the situation in the region and in Ukraine.

This is the second face-to-face meeting between the presidents of Russia and Belarus this year; the last time they met in Moscow in mid-February, they also had a number of phone conversations. Special attention was paid to the topic of Ukraine.