Putin woos Belarus

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia will provide its exSoviet neighbour and ally Belarus with US$2 billion (NZ$2.44b) in loans next year. Putin made the statement following talks today with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko. Lukashenko, who has been dubbed ‘‘Europe’s last dictator’’ in the West, has led the nation of 10 million people with an iron fist for nearly two decades, tolerating no dissent. He has kept most assets in state hands and relies on subsidies from Russia to shore up the economy. Russia and Belarus have had close economic, political and military ties. Russia has several military facilities in Belarus, and the two nations operate a joint air defence system.