Putin hosts Belarus leader for talks amid economic pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting the leader of Belarus for another round of talks on closer integration amid mounting Russian economic pressure on its ex-Soviet allyMOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted the leader of Belarus on Friday for another round of difficult talks on closer integration amid Moscow's mounting economic pressure on its ex-Soviet ally. Some in Belarus fear that the Russian leader could be eyeing a full merger of the two nations in order to extend his rule. Lukashenko and Putin smiled broadly as they sat down for talks at Putin's residence in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi. Belarusian officials said the country lost $330 million last year because of higher Russian oil prices. Lukashenko has bristled at the Kremlin pressure, charging that some Russian officials want to push Belarus into surrendering its sovereignty.

Source: ABC News February 07, 2020 11:28 UTC