Belarus Leader Decries Russia’s ‘Hints’ at Merger for Cheap Oil
- Lukashenko says Russian proposals won’t be accepted by people
- Kremlin is seeking ways that may allow Putin to keep power
This article is for subscribers only.
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said Russia’s leaders are “hinting” that he should accept a merger of their two countries in return for getting cheaper oil and gas, amid a squeeze on energy supplies from his giant neighbor.
Lukashenko said he’s certain neither Belarusians nor Russians “want to go this way,” during a visit to factory workers on Friday, according to his website. He described talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi last week as “peculiar.”