Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarus' counterpart Alexander Lukashenko take part in a ceremony unveiling the Soviet Soldier Memorial near Rzhev, Russia's Tver region, June 30, 2020. (MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV / SPUTNIK / AFP)

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko discussed the recent detention of 33 Russian citizens in Belarus during a phone call Friday.

Putin emphasized that Russia is interested in maintaining a stable political situation in Belarus and holding the Belarusian presidential elections in a calm atmosphere, the Kremlin said

The presidents expressed confidence that the situation will be resolved "in the spirit of the amicable characteristic of cooperation between the two countries," the Kremlin said in a press release.

ALSO READ: Agency: Belarus says it has detained US nationals

Putin emphasized that Russia is interested in maintaining a stable political situation in Belarus and holding the Belarusian presidential elections in a calm atmosphere, the Kremlin said.

Putin and Lukashenko also discussed issues pertaining to the further development of "fraternal" Russian-Belarusian relations, it added.

Last week, 32 militants from the private Russian military contractor Wagner Group were detained near the Belarusian capital Minsk, with another detained in the south of the country, the Belarusian state news agency Belta reported.

ALSO READ: Russia turns on Belarus over 'odious' detention of alleged mercenaries

During the phone conversation at the initiative of the Russian leader, Putin and Lukashenko discussed the course of the election campaign in Belarus, according to a statement posted on the website of the Belarusian president.

"Vladimir Putin, in particular, noted the importance of further development of the fraternal Belarusian-Russian relations and the need to counter negative trends and actions by third parties which may lead to their deterioration," it read.

READ MORE: Ukraine says to consider extradition of 'mercenaries' in Belarus

The leaders also discussed the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the two countries and the development of a vaccine, it added.