Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarus counterpart Alexander Lukashenko are scheduled to meet in the next few weeks in Moscow.

The two leaders have not had any meetings since protests broke out in Belarus against the results of the country's presidential election.

In today's conversation, the two men agreed that Russia and Belarus need to strengthen their bilateral relationship and expand cooperation.

Opponents of Lukashenko's re-election in recent weeks have held protests and strikes, demanding that he resign.

President Lukashenko meanwhile rejected the idea of organizing re-election as well as calls for resignation, and accused the opposition of plotting to take power.

Russia, a close ally of Belarus, warned the West that it was "unacceptable" to interfere with internal affairs or put pressure on Belarusian leaders.

During a phone call on August 16, Putin told Lukashenko that Russia was ready to provide military assistance under a collective defense treaty if necessary to assist Belarus "solve problems" arising from the presidential election.