Today, March 13, 2025, the Kremlin will host a joint press conference between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, which will follow their talks. The meeting between the leaders of the two countries is traditionally devoted to issues of bilateral cooperation, but against the backdrop of recent international events, special attention is focused on possible statements by Putin on the situation around Ukraine, especially in the context of recent US initiatives. 

The agenda of the press conference will largely depend on questions from journalists. The presidents plan to focus on discussing relations between Moscow and Minsk, but it is possible that Putin may also touch on the Ukrainian topic if the media asks relevant questions.

The talks between Putin and Lukashenko are taking place amid active diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. Media reports say that Russia has sent the United States a list of demands that Moscow believes must be met to end the fighting. According to Reuters, these conditions have been discussed during face-to-face and virtual meetings between Russian and American officials over the past three weeks. The agency's sources claim that the demands largely repeat Moscow's earlier proposals, addressed not only to Kyiv, but also to Washington and NATO countries. Key points include Ukraine's refusal to join the North Atlantic Alliance, as well as legally securing the status of Crimea and four regions as part of the Russian Federation. 

Against this backdrop, the Kremlin press conference is seen by experts as an important platform where Putin can outline Russia's official position on current initiatives and possibly respond to criticism from Kyiv. Analysts note that the Russian leader may use the meeting to emphasize Moscow's commitment to its conditions and call on Western partners to be more actively involved in resolving the conflict. 

In addition, the meeting between Putin and Lukashenko is taking place in the context of strengthening allied relations between Russia and Belarus. Against the backdrop of Western sanctions and political isolation, Minsk is increasingly oriented towards Moscow, which makes such talks an important tool for coordinating the positions of the two countries. During today's discussions, the leaders are likely to touch on issues of economic cooperation, including energy supplies, as well as joint projects in the defense sector.