Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visited the Valaam Monastery on Thursday, continuing a longstanding tradition of combining spiritual reflection with political dialogue.

The two leaders took part in a brief prayer service at the Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, located within the historic Valaam Transfiguration Monastery. Arriving without official motorcades and dressed in casual attire, Putin and Lukashenko joined the service as ordinary pilgrims, each holding a lit candle and making the sign of the cross during the hymn “O Heavenly King.”

Following the service, the presidents gave short statements to the press. President Putin highlighted the importance of regular personal meetings in strengthening bilateral ties. He noted that trade between Russia and Belarus has surpassed $50 billion and pointed to numerous joint initiatives in key sectors.

“There are many important and promising projects underway. Naturally, with such a volume, many questions arise. We will have the opportunity to address them during our talks,” Putin said.

President Lukashenko thanked his Russian counterpart for the opportunity to meet once again on Valaam Island, calling the tradition a “symbol of unity” between the two nations. “We are dedicating our weekend to discussion,” he remarked.

During their press interaction, the two leaders also touched on pressing international issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the prospects for a peaceful resolution, coordinated responses to Western sanctions, security within the Union State, and the delivery of the new Belarus-bound missile system "Oreshnik."