MOSCOW. Oct 18 (Interfax) - Russia's strategic partnership with Belarus is an especially important factor as NATO's hostile activities have dramatically worsened the situation along the Belarus-Russia Union's borders, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
"Belarus is Russia's strategic partner and reliable ally. Our countries are bonded by fraternal relations and common cultural and moral values. This is particularly important these days, as the situation along the Union State's borders has worsened dramatically because of NATO's openly hostile activities," Shoigu said in opening remarks at a board meeting of the Russian and Belarusian defense ministries in Moscow on Wednesday.