He stated this in a video message to the participants of the VII Forum of the Regions of Belarus and Russia.

According to Putin, interregional ties are "one of the most important components of fraternal, good-neighborly, truly allied relations between Russia and Belarus, built on the principles of equality and consideration of each other's interests."

Earlier, Putin said that unprecedented external pressure is being put on Belarus, but its relations with Russia are not subject to conjuncture.