Russian leader Vladimir Putin has awarded Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko with Russia's highest honor, the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called.

Axar.az reports that Iz.ru published this information.

Putin presented this award for Lukashenko's exceptional services in developing allied relations and strategic partnership between Russia and Belarus, strengthening friendly ties between the peoples of the two brotherly countries, and his personal contribution to the creation and effective functioning of the Union State.

It should be noted that Alexander Lukashenko turns 70 today (August 30).