President Putin Awards Russia’s Highest Honor to Belarusian President
In a gesture of strengthening ties, President Vladimir Putin awarded Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko Russia’s highest honor on his birthday, recognizing the robust development of relations between the two nations.
On August 30th, President Putin signed a decree conferring the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Russia’s most prestigious award, to President Lukashenko on the occasion of his 70th birthday.
“The Belarusian leader is honored with this award for his outstanding achievements in fostering the allied and strategic partnership between Russia and Belarus, as well as for enhancing the friendship between our peoples,” the Kremlin announced on its website.
Moscow highlighted Lukashenko’s significant personal contribution to the establishment and effective functioning of the Union State of Russia and Belarus. The Union State Agreement, signed in 1999, laid the legal foundation for collaboration across various sectors, including economics, information technology, agriculture, and border security.
In a congratulatory message, President Putin emphasized the strong, time-tested relationship between himself and President Lukashenko.
“And of course, I am confident that we will continue to do our utmost to strengthen the effective cooperation between Russia and Belarus,” the Russian leader added.
The Kremlin described the relationship between Putin and Lukashenko as close and enduring, with the two leaders frequently meeting and holding telephone conversations.
Belarus remains a steadfast ally of Russia, even allowing its territory to be used by Russian forces in the military operation against Ukraine.
