Russia, Belarus to prepare common security policy: Kremlin

MOSCOW

Russia and Belarus are starting work on a common security policy as soon as possible, the Kremlin announced on Friday.

Commenting on a statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin that the two countries had decided to outline a common security policy in the face of growing tensions on their borders with other nations, sanctions, and an "information war" against them, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said they would work out the exact terms of such a draft "in the shortest possible terms."

Referring to a recent proposal by Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to destroy all nuclear weapons in the world, Peskov said such a move would be unrealistic.

"This would demand a consensus, and we do not see readiness from certain countries for any consensuses," he said.

Peskov said Russian military chiefs would take into account recent remarks by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said he expects Ukraine to launch a counter-offensive soon.

"They (military chiefs) carefully monitor all relevant information and take this into account when planning the continuation of the special military operation," he said.

The official also said he was aware of reports claiming that Pope Francis had suggested an Easter cease-fire but did not know of any such proposal voiced directly by the pontiff.

"We have not heard any statements from the Vatican in this regard, so we do not consider it necessary and possible to comment," he noted.

The Kremlin also took note of a visit by the French president to China, Peskov said, dubbing Emmanuel Macron's talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping "an important contact."

Asked if Beijing could change its position on Ukraine following Macron's visit, Peskov said: "China is a very serious, very big power from its sovereign position. And this is a very serious position that is being seriously formed. And this is not a country that changes its positions so quickly under external influence."