Belarus leader boasts about US ties to bargain with Moscow The leader of Belarus is boasting about better ties with the United States as his officials discuss alternative energy imports as part of efforts to win concessions from RussiaBelarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks to journalists as he visits the Dobrush Paper Factory in Dobrush, Belarus, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020. Lukashenko boasted about Belarus' warmer ties with the United States as he prepared to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin for another round of difficult economic talks. Lukashenko boasted about Belarus' warmer ties with the United States as he prepared to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin for another round of difficult economic talks. In the past, Belarus has cashed in on exports of petroleum products made from cheap Russian oil. “There is no real alternative to Russian oil and gas; other options are significantly more expensive,” said Valery Karbalevich, an independent Minsk-based political analyst.

Source: ABC News February 04, 2020 12:00 UTC