The Belarusian leader congratulated his Russian counterpart on Russia Day.

Photo: Maxim Shipenkov Pool Photo via AP
"The Russian Federation is a leading state, confident in its strength, one of the leading world powers with powerful economic and defense potential, a guarantor of a just world order in the conditions of global transformation," the congratulation states.
"Belarusians have always walked shoulder to shoulder with Russians on a centuries-old heroic path. The memory of overcoming trials together, common achievements and victories is passed down from generation to generation. It is the Belarusian-Russian friendship, proven over the years, that provides inexhaustible energy for the further harmonious development of our fraternal countries and peoples," Lukashenka noted.
He also separately congratulated Chairman of the Government Mikhail Mishustin, Chairwoman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko, and Chairman of the State Duma, Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia Vyacheslav Volodin on the national holiday of Russia, although heads of state usually only congratulate their equals.
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