US calls Putin's comments on not wanting to absorb Belarus the 'height of irony'

Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement saying Moscow does not want to absorb anyone should be treated as the "height of irony" given he is currently seeking to absorb Ukraine, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Monday (December 19).

Speaking at a news briefing, Price said Washington would continue to watch very closely whether or not Belarus would provide additional support to Putin and would respond "appropriately" if it does.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at a joint press conference in Minsk with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Monday, said that Russia does not want to "absorb" anyone, and that unspecified "enemies" wanted to stop Russia's integration with Belarus.