Lukashenka congratulates Putin on victory before results are out

Alyaksandr Lukashenka has congratulated Vladimir Putin on his victory at the Russian Federation’s presidential election, BELTA reports. 99% of ballot papers have already been counted in Russia and Putin has scored 76% of votes.

The results of the Russian presidential election demonstrate Russian citizens’ great trust and support “of the existing policy directed at the steady social and economic development of the country and the strengthening of its authority in the international arena”, Lukashenka said. The Belarus president expressed a hope that the Belarus-Russia strategic partnership would carry on and expand.

"We are inviting you to pay a visit to Belarus and attend the meeting of the Supreme Council of the [Belarus-Russia] Union state to discuss the burning bilateral cooperation issues,” the Belarusian leader said.