In the Russian village of Valdai, known as Vladimir Putin's private residence, a meeting took place that initially went unnoticed by the general public. Alexander Lukashenko and the Russian President held talks in a mode of maximum secrecy, which only became known after the Belarusian leader had already left Russian territory.
The event, which can be called a "meeting in the shadows," was confirmed only post-factum. The "Agency" news agency (cited by RBC-Ukraine) was the first to reveal the details of the visit, noting that the Kremlin and Minsk remained silent about the event until its very end.
Traces in the sky and on the ground
The unusual nature of the visit is confirmed by flight monitoring data. The aircraft carrying Lukashenko departed from Minsk at 9:46 Moscow time. Shortly after crossing the border, over the territory of the Tver region, the aircraft's transponder was turned off, making it invisible to open tracking systems.
OSINT analysis conducted by journalists allowed for the identification of the landing site. Video footage taken from the airfield where the landing occurred matches the characteristics of the secret "Khotilovo-2" airfield in the Tver region, located in close proximity to Putin's residence. Late in the evening, the same aircraft returned to Minsk, completing its secret mission.
Ground logistics also indicated the presence of high-ranking guests. Traffic was temporarily restricted on the federal M-11 highway leading to the residence, which is a standard procedure during visits by heads of state.
Official version and agenda
The Kremlin confirmed the fact of the meeting only after Lukashenko returned to Belarus. Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov reported that the leaders of the two countries discussed key issues of the Union State. The agenda included:
- Trade and economic cooperation;
- Regional security issues;
- Common integration agenda.
Peskov emphasized that there would be no official statements following the negotiations, which only adds intrigue surrounding the results of the conversation.
Geopolitical context
The meeting took place against the backdrop of tense rhetoric from the Belarusian leadership. On the eve of the visit, Lukashenko publicly demanded that Russian Ambassador Boris Gryzlov not drag Minsk into a war with Ukraine. This statement sounded like a stern warning; however, the secret visit to Valdai showed that the dialogue between the leaders continues in a closed mode.
International observers, including the Wall Street Journal, note that Russia continues to look for leverage over Minsk. In particular, the possibility of opening a second front against Ukraine from Belarusian territory is being discussed. Moscow is also considering legal mechanisms to recruit Belarusian citizens into the Russian armed forces through Union State structures.
At the same time, Lukashenko continues to use the "double bottom" tactic, claiming contacts with representatives of the Ukrainian leadership. The Belarusian leader's statement yesterday about a meeting with Zelensky's delegation only complicates the picture, making his position in the eyes of Moscow and the West even more ambiguous.