Surprise Appointment: New Russian Defence Minister Meets Belarusian Counterpart in Minsk

Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and Belarusian Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin are meeting in Minsk. Belousov, an economist, was recently appointed by President Vladimir Putin, replacing Sergei Shoigu. Putin is also in Minsk for discussions with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.

Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov is meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Viktor Khrenin in Minsk, Russian state-run news agency TASS reported on Friday.

Belousov, an economist, was named by President Vladimir Putin to replace Sergei Shoigu in a surprise appointment this month. Putin was also in Minsk on Friday for talks with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.