UKRAINE
Russian invasion: Situation report day 408
April 7, 2023 - President Lukashenko of Belarus met Russian President Putin in Moscow to discuss expanding economic and military cooperation but appears likely to resist pressure to further support the Russian war effort at present.
Lukashenko stressed the build-up of NATO forces on the western border, arguing that Belarus needs to protect the western flank, likely as an attempt to justify resisting further involvement in Ukraine. However, the Kremlin is steadily increasing the pressure on Belarus to formalise the Union State of the two countries, and Lukashenko is gradually losing the ability to manoeuvre.
The Kremlin has dismissed chances of peace talks this year, after French president Macron spoke with Chinese president Xi, urging China to act as mediator.
- Russian offensive campaign assessment (ISW)
- Russia seizes Bakhmutka River's west bank, says UK defence ministry (Reuters)
- Ukrainian forces cling onto besieged city, China pressed to help end war (Reuters)
- Kremlin: Putin and Lukashenko did not discuss placement of strategic nuclear weapons - Interfax (Reuters)