BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

11/12/2007

Relations between Russia and Belarus

Relations between Russia and Belarus have cooled considerably over the past few months. Aris Jansons examines why Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to visit the Belarusian president next week. "Putin and Lukashenko will no doubt talk about gas. Belarus has no alternative for its supplies, but because Moscow is on a confrontation course with the West it can't afford to start another gas war with one of its allies. Minsk can expect to continue paying a discount price for its gas at least until the presidential elections in Russia. Nonetheless, relations between the two countries are no longer purely defined by good will and Moscow will demand its price. Part of it will be unquestioning loyalty from Minsk."

Source:

http://europe.courrierinternational.com/eurotopics/article.asp?langue=uk&publication=11/12/2007&cat=POLITICS&pi=2

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