Putin awarded Lukashenko with the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree awarding President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko with the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, RIA Novosti reports.

According to the decree, Lukashenko was awarded for outstanding services in the development of alliance and strategic partnership between Russia and Belarus and strengthening of friendly ties between the peoples of the two countries, as well as for the personal contribution of the Belarusian leader to the creation and effective operation of the Union State.