Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko will meet in Sochi on September 14, according to the Kremlin press service.

It is reported that the leaders intend to discuss key issues of further development of Russian-Belarusian relations of strategic partnership and alliance.

"It is planned to pay special attention to the implementation of large joint projects in the trade, economic, energy, cultural and humanitarian fields, as well as the prospects for promoting integration processes within the Union State," the Kremlin said.

Earlier, the press secretary of the head of the Russian state Dmitry Peskov also spoke about the upcoming meeting between Putin and Lukashenko.

He noted that the signing of documents following the visit is not planned, however, a statement for the press following the meeting is possible.

“Perhaps we will inform you about the main results of these negotiations, we will definitely try to do it,” said Peskov.

Lukashenka himself said that he was counting on the upcoming meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to put a “fat point” in the implementation of the agreements reached by the prime ministers of the two countries.

The Belarusian leader noted earlier that during the recent talks between two government delegations with the participation of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, “very good agreements” were reached in Minsk.

“We are working on their development.

Of course, in the near future we will meet with the President of Russia and, probably, we will put an end to the implementation of these relations and agreements in order to move on.

Of course, there will be many more questions, they will always be.

When there is cooperation, a lot of questions appear, of course they need to be resolved, ”BelTA quotes Lukashenka as saying.

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US anti-Belarusian sanctions

Against the background of the announcement of the meeting between the leaders of Russia and Belarus, US First Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Bigan said that the Russian authorities should not support the regime of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

“Most Belarusians consider Russia the country closest to their hearts, and we respect these feelings and sovereign choice.

But we do not understand how Moscow can support such a regime and similar violence against civilians, ”RIA Novosti quoted Bigan as saying.

He noted that such a line of conduct allegedly carries risks for Moscow.

“If the Kremlin continues to follow this path, it risks turning the Belarusian people, who are not offended in anything against Russia, against Moscow,” he said.

Along with this, Bigan announced the possibility of introducing sectoral sanctions against Belarus.

However, according to him, at the first stage it will be only about measures against persons whom the United States considers "responsible for the violence."

The sanctions will include an asset freeze and travel ban to the United States.

“With regard to sectoral sanctions and sanctions against enterprises, I think that as the situation develops, it is possible that additional measures will be considered.

But we also mean that the Belarusian people must work, earn and live, ”RIA Novosti quotes the diplomat.

He stressed that Washington does not want to impose "any additional punishment" on the Belarusian people, unless this is "absolutely necessary" and does not support the US "goals" in Belarus.

Bigan also expressed hope that the Russian side will call on Lukashenka "to yield to the will of the people."

He noted that the United States adheres to the point of view according to which the people of Belarus “clearly rejected” Lukashenka in the elections.

Commenting on the situation around Belarus, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Viktor Vodolatsky noted that the schemes tested in other countries did not work in the republic.

“Belarus today is the case when all the technologies that were reproduced in other countries: Iraq, Libya, Ukraine failed.

Belarus did not go according to the scenario, because there is a slightly different mentality, "the parliamentarian said in an interview with RT.

The processes taking place in the republic "willingly or unwillingly involve Russia," Vodolatsky noted.

“Russia will always support the Belarusian people, that is, Moscow will always fulfill its obligations within the framework of the Union Treaty, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and within the framework of Russian-Belarusian cooperation,” the deputy said.

He explained that it is not about helping Lukashenka to a greater extent, but about creating a stable situation and preventing a civil war like the one that is taking place today in Ukraine.

Speaking about the prospect of introducing sectoral sanctions against Belarus, political scientist Ivan Mezyukho called such a step by the United States expected.

“Immediately after the announcement of the voting results in Belarus, it was clear that the West would introduce restrictive political and economic measures against the republic.

At first it seemed that the sanctions would be mainly of a personal, demonstrative nature, but now, probably, restrictive measures will be not only personal in nature, but also economic, "the expert said in an interview with RT.

At the same time, he suggested that certain restrictions could be introduced against Russia under the pretext that Moscow allegedly interferes in the internal affairs of Belarus.

However, as Mezyuho noted, this will not hinder the development of relations between the two countries.

“The integration processes between Russia and Belarus will rapidly deepen, and in many respects those provocations staged by foreign puppeteers in Belarus are pushing Minsk to start comprehensive integration with the Russian Federation,” the expert concluded.

"Avoid the Ukrainian scenario"

The situation in Belarus was also discussed in Europe.

Czech Prime Minister Andrei Babis urged to avoid repeating the "Ukrainian scenario" in Belarus.

“We must avoid the Ukrainian scenario.

The Belarusians must make a decision about the future of their country, "RIA Novosti quotes Babis as saying after the meeting of the heads of government of the Visegrad group (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary).

The head of the Czech government pointed out that the Belarusians should hold "free elections" themselves.

In addition, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that the countries of the Visegrad group are ready to introduce a visa-free regime for citizens of Belarus.

He specified that this is a package of measures to support Belarusian citizens, which will be presented at the next meeting of the European Council.