Putin and Xi back Lukashenko amid Ukraine tensions

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed support for Belarus's sovereignty and independence following threats from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Russian President Vladimir Putin also discussed Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko's reaction to those threats during talks. The Kremlin confirmed that Putin and Lukashenko held negotiations and discussed channels for dialogue on Ukraine. Meanwhile, Zelensky mocked Russia's military efforts and accused Moscow of rejecting all peace proposals. Russia, in turn, called on Europe to recognize what it described as Zelensky's desire to expand the conflict.