Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time met and held talks with his closest ally, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko since the latter played a major role in brokering a deal which led to the end of mutiny by Wagner fighters in Moscow last month.

Putin meets Lukashenko for first time since Wagner mutiny

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has asked Wagner Group mercenaries to the military of his country, in a new twist to the armed group's journey from Russia's pillar in the Ukraine war to the rebelled group and finally a unit exiled to Minsk, an ally of Moscow.

Belarusian President Lukashenko asks Wagner army to train his military

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko will be attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit that India will be hosting virtually next week.

India to host virtual SCO summit with Putin and Lukashenko in attendance