Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met in Moscow and ratified the Russian-Belarus Union State treaty on security guarantees, permitting Russia to establish military bases in Belarus.

Putin and Lukashenko ratified treaty allowing Russian military bases in Belarus

Later the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, met Putin in Moscow.

The agreement has already entered into force on March 13, 2025.

The parties will continue to increase joint efforts to effectively respond to current challenges and threats in order to strengthen the security of Belarus and Russia within the common defense space of the Union State.

The treaty enshrines mutual guarantees to take "necessary measures" in the event of encroachments on the security of Belarus and Russia, as well as the "Union State" as a whole.

Belarusian and Russian citizens permanently residing in the territory of another state will be able to participate in local "elections" - to elect and be elected to local governments.