MINSK, December 6. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has welcomed his visiting Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, at Minsk’s Independence Palace, a TASS correspondent reported.

Lukashenko welcomed Putin inside the building, near the entrance. The leaders shook hands, embraced and exchanged a couple of words. They will co-chair a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Russia and Belarus. The meeting will address a range of issues, from defense to communications tariffs.

Later in the day, the leaders will sign joint documents and will hold a one-on-ne meeting when the main program is completed.