PATCHING UP?

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attend an ice hockey game in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia on Friday. Putin is hosting the Belarus leader for talks on closer integration amid mounting Russian economic pressure on its ex-soviet ally. Lukashenko had earlier accused the Kremlin of flouting Russian commitments for energy supplies while trying to strong-arm him into a closer alliance. On Friday, Lukashenko and Putin held a round of talks in Sochi.