Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko during a telephone conversation discussed the recent detention of 33 Russian citizens in Belarus, the Kremlin press service reports.
"The two leaders expressed confidence that the situation would be resolved in the spirit of mutual understanding that is a longstanding part of cooperation between the two countries," the message reads.
Moscow is interested in a stable political situation in Belarus so that the upcoming presidential election takes place in a calm atmosphere, the Kremlin added.
In turn, the press service of the Belarusian leader stressed that the head of state was trying to "deal with the situation in the most serious way".
"The presidents agreed to study every available fact as thoroughly as possible in order to establish the true causes of the current situation, find the perpetrators and bring them to justice," Minsk concluded.
Detention of Russian citizens in Belarus
On July 29, the Belarusian authorities announced the detention of 33 Russian citizens. They are suspected of preparing mass riots in the Republic. Local opposition figures Nikokai Statkevich and Sergei Tikhanovsky, whose wife Svetlana is running for President, are also being tried in the case.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the group with all the necessary documents was going to Istanbul in transit through Minsk, logistics were provided by a Belarusian company.
The diplomats called the Belarusian side's interpretation of the situation "odious" and could not withstand any criticism.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from RIA Novosti