Russia halts oil supplies to Belarus in push for closer ties Russia has halted oil supplies to Belarus after the two countries failed to renegotiate a contract amid talks of further improving economic tiesFILE In this file photo taken on Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko walk before a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in St. Petersburg, Russia. Russia has halted oil supplies to Belarus after the two countries failed to renegotiate a contract amid talks of further improving their economic ties. Russia has halted oil supplies to Belarus after the two countries failed to renegotiate a contract amid talks of further improving their economic ties. (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File) The Associated PressMINSK, Belarus -- Russia has halted oil supplies to Belarus as talks on strengthening economic ties remained stalled over concerns that Russia could effectively swallow up its neighbor. About 10% of Western Europe's oil supplies come from Russia, via a pipeline transiting Belarus.

Source: ABC News January 03, 2020 11:26 UTC