Belarus will not formally merge with Russia in the near future, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko said on March 14 while addressing the Russian Federation Council. "If we are going to burst through this open door,

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has declared that integration between Belarus and Russia must become irreversible.

US president Donald Trump said he hoped Moscow would "do the right thing" and agree to a 30-day ceasefire after the Russian president made a series of demands for concessions. "Now we're going to see whether or not Russia is there, and if they're not, it'll be a very disappointing moment for the world," Mr Trump said.

Vladimir Putin says Russia agrees in principle with the US ceasefire proposal, but the terms still need to be thrashed out as Russians 'encircle' Kursk region.