Lukashenko meets Xi in Beijing deepen Belarus-China ties

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday, June 29, 2026, in a visit that followed closely on the heels of his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meetings underscore Minsk's efforts to strengthen ties with major non-Western partners amid its continued international isolation over its role in Russia's war against Ukraine.

During their meeting at the Diaoyutai state guesthouse, which lasted more than three hours, Xi emphasized the strength of the bilateral relationship. He stated that China and Belarus are "true friends" and "all-weather comprehensive strategic partners," describing their ties as being at a historic peak. Xi affirmed China's support for Belarus in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and for pursuing its own development path. He called for the two nations to maintain strategic communication and to further develop their high-level relations, including by advancing cooperation under China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Lukashenko, for his part, hailed the practical cooperation with China as vital for Belarus's economic and social development. He expressed...