Belarus's authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka says he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 18 to discuss "further activities" regarding joint military forces as the two countries hold military exercises together.
Speaking during a visit to the Asipovitski military test field on February 17 as joint exercises were taking place, Lukashenka did not say whether the Russian troops will start leaving the country after the maneuvers, but emphasized that "there is no need to create Russian military bases in Belarus."
"Things will be decided tomorrow," Lukashenka said, referring to the meeting with Putin.
SEE ALSO: Biden Warns Threat Of Russian Invasion Of Ukraine 'Very High' As Russia Expels No. 2 DiplomatIn Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on February 17 that the drills will end as planned on February 20, but he did not comment on whether Russia forces will immediately leave.
With Belarus bordering on both NATO's eastern flank and Ukraine, the exercises, involving some 30,000 Russian troops, have caused concern in the West over the Kremlin's true intentions given it has amassed, according to U.S. President Joe Biden, some 150,000 soldiers in areas near the border with Ukraine.
Belarusian Foreign Minister Uladzimer Makey said on February 16 that Russian troops will fully withdraw from Belarus after the conclusion of the exercises.
But Lukashenka has said he will hold talks with Putin to decide "when, on what terms, and on what schedule" Russian troops will depart.