Belarus Leader Stays Close to Russia Amid Pressure

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Belarus-Russia relations are warm and friendly, crediting regional cooperation. He reaffirmed that Belarus will stand by Russia in any situation and expressed readiness for deeper cooperation with Russia's Moscow Oblast. At the same time, he is resisting Kremlin pressure to open a new front against Ukraine. Italy and France have pushed back against an EU proposal to ban former Russian soldiers.