Russia Completes Nuclear Weapons Shipments To Belarus

 

SKY News: Russia completes nuclear weapons shipments to Belarus, president says  

Concerns have been raised after Belarus claimed it has completed receiving tactical nuclear weapons from Russia. 

Russia has completed its shipments of tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, according to the country's president, raising international concern. 

At a meeting of a Moscow-led economic bloc in St Petersburg, Alexander Lukashenko said the deliveries were finished in October - though he didn't say how many or where they have been deployed. 

Read more .... 

Russia Completes Nuclear Weapons Shipments To Belarus  

Belarus leader says Russian nuclear weapons shipments are completed, raising concern in the region -- AP  

Putin Moved His Nuclear Weapons - Belarus -- Newsweek  

Russia has completed delivery of nuclear weapons to Belarus, Lukashenko says -- UPI  

Belarus leader says Russian nuclear weapons shipments are completed, raising concern in the region -- NYPoat 

Belarus Now Has Russian Tactical Nuclear Weapons at the Ready, Lukashenko Says -- The Messenger

Belarusian President Lukashenko Complains To Putin About Wagner’s Wish To March On Warsaw -- ‘They Stress Me Out’

 

Newsweek: Wagner Group Wants to March on Poland, Putin Ally Warns 

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko warned on Sunday that the Wagner Group wants to march on Poland during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

 Putin exiled the Wagner Group, a paramilitary unit that previously fought alongside his troops in Ukraine, to Belarus following an attempted mutiny by Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin against Moscow's military leadership last month. The transfer fueled concerns about stability across Eastern Europe, including Poland, which shares a strategically critical northeastern border with Belarus. The Polish military has transferred troops near its Belarusian border amid threats that the Wagner Group could attempt to seize the Suwalki Gap and cut off the Baltic states from the rest of Europe.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: They (Putin and Lukashenko) are trolling the West. Wagner is not going to invade Poland. But Wagner's presence in Poland is to send a message to the West, and to Ukraine. 

Belarusian President Lukashenko Complains To Putin About Wagner’s Wish To March On Warsaw  

Belarusian president claims that Wagner fighters want to invade Poland -- Euronews  

Lukashenko 'struggling to keep Wagner troops from attacking Poland' -- The Telegraph  

Lukashenko & Putin meet for first time since Wagner revolt; discuss group's ambitions -- Republic World

Wagner troops asked permission to visit Poland...': What Belarus' Lukashenko said during meet with Vladimir Putin -- Mint  

Lukashenko threatens Poland with Wagnerites: They want to go to West -- Ukrainska Pravda 

‘They stress me out’ – Lukashenko complains to Putin about Wagner’s wishes to march on Warsaw -- New Voice of Ukraine 

Putin hosts Lukashenko, calls Ukraine counter-offensive a failure -- Reuters

Belarus Starts Taking Delivery Of Russian Tactical Nuclear Wweapons

The deployment will be Moscow's first move of such bombs - which could potentially be used on the battlefield - outside Russian borders since the fall of the Soviet Union. Pictured: Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile systems drive along a street before a military parade in Moscow, May 9 © Provided by Daily Mail  

Daily Mail: Belarus has already started taking delivery of Russian nukes 

* Lukashenko said Belarus has started receiving Russian tactical nuclear weapons 

* It is Moscow's first move of such bombs outside Russia since fall of Soviet Union 

Belarus has already started taking delivery of Russian nukes, some of which President Alexander Lukashenko boasted are three times more powerful than the atomic bombs the US dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 

The deployment of tactical nuclear weapons is Moscow's first move of such bombs - which could potentially be used on the battlefield - outside Russian borders since the fall of the Soviet Union. 

 'We have missiles and bombs that we have received from Russia,' Lukashenko said in an interview with the Rossiya-1 Russian state TV channel which was posted on the Belarusian Belta state news agency's Telegram channel. 

'The bombs are three times more powerful than those (dropped on) Hiroshima and Nagasaki,' he said, speaking on a road in a forest clearing with military vehicles parked nearby and some kind of military storage facility visible in the background. 

Read more .... 

Belarus Starts Taking Delivery Of Russian Tactical Nuclear Weapons 

Belarus starts taking delivery of Russian nuclear weapons -- Reuters  

Leader of Belarus says he wouldn't hesitate to use Russian nuclear weapons to repel aggression -- AP  

Belarus now has Russian nuclear weapons "three times more powerful" than those used on Japan, leader says -- CBS

Belarus president says Russia now sending over nuclear weapons amid Ukrainian counteroffensive -- FOX News 

Leader says Belarus now has Russian nuclear weapons, wouldn’t hesitate to use them -- The Hill

Russian President Putin Says Transfer Of Tactical Nuclear Weapons To Belarus Will Start In July

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with his Belarus' counterpart Alexander Lukashenko in Sochi, Russia, June 9, 2023. / Credit: GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/SPUTNIK/AFP 

CBS News: Putin puts a date on his plan to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus

 Russia will start deploying nuclear weapons in Belarus when the necessary facilities there are ready there in early July, President Vladimir Putin told the Belarussian leader at a Friday meeting. 

It was the first time Russia's president has suggested a specific timeframe for his plans, announced in March, to deploy "tactical nuclear weapons" to the country just north of Ukraine, which is one of Russia's few allies in the region. 

"Everything is going to plan," Putin said in a televised portion of his meeting with Belarus' longtime authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko in Sochi, on Russia's Black Sea coast, adding that the two countries were deepening their cooperation on security.  

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Russian President Putin Says Transfer Of Tactical Nuclear Weapons To Belarus Will Start In July  

Putin says Russian tactical nuclear weapons to be deployed to Belarus next month -- AP  

Putin says tactical nuclear weapons to be deployed in Belarus in July -- Reuters  

Putin puts a date on his plan to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus -- CBS  

Putin says Russian tactical nuclear weapons to be deployed to Belarus next month -- The Hill  

Putin reveals he will deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus in less than a month -- Daily Mail

Putin gives timeline for deployment of nukes to Belarus -- RT

Kremlin Says It Will Defend Belarus President Lukashenko In The Event Of An Uprising

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov  

New Voice Of Ukraine: Russia remains committed to Belarus’ security, Peskov says 

Peskov said as much in a comment on May 24, responding to reports that some in the Polish military expect an uprising in Belarus in foreseeable future. 

General Waldemar Skrzypczak, former commander of the Polish Land Forces, told Polsat News that Belarusian citizens currently serving with Ukraine’s Armed Forces could ultimately use their expertise and weapons to topple the dictatorial regime in their home country. 

“We are preparing for an uprising in Belarus, because it is coming,” said Skrzypczak. "We need to be ready to support the units that will carry out operations against Lukashenko. Preparing for an uprising in Belarus is crucial. We have reason to help them, just like we help Ukrainians."  

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Update: Lukashenko claims West is preparing coup in Belarus (RT).  

WNU Editor: The Kremlin was responding to these reports .... Ex-army chief says Poland must prepare for uprising in Belarus (Anadolu Agency).

Russia To Relocate Tactical Nuclear Weapons To Belarus

 

RFE: Moscow, Minsk Sign Documents On Placing Russian Tactical Nuclear Weapons In Belarus  

Russia and Belarus have signed documents allowing for the placement of Russian tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus, a move that has increased already strained tensions between the Kremlin and the West. 

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said after the signing in Minsk on May 25 that Moscow will maintain control of the weapons while on Belarusian soil. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin in March raised the prospect of Moscow deploying tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus -- which borders Ukraine and three NATO nations -- by July, a move the authoritarian ruler of Belarus, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, has agreed to.  

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WNU Editor: This is the Kremlin's way of responding to its long-term concerns that the West is determined to undermine/replace the Lukashenko government .... Is Poland Preparing To Invade Belarus? (May 25, 2023).  

Update: The U.S. has responded to this nuclear deployment .... US condemns Russia moving nuclear weapons to Belarus, will not adjust nuclear posture (Reuters). More here .... White House slams Putin's nuclear provocation in Belarus: 'Irresponsible' (FOX News). 

Russia To Relocate Tactical Nuclear Weapons To Belarus

Lukashenko Says Russia Has Begun Moving Nuclear Weapons to Belarus -- Moscow Times/AFP 

Belarus: Lukashenko says Russian tactical nukes on their way -- DW 

Russia to Relocate Some Tactical Nuclear Weapons to Belarus -- VOA  

Russia moving nuclear warheads to Belarus, says dictator Lukashenko -- The Guardian  

Russia signs deal to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus -- Al Jazeera

Belarusian President Lukashenko Says Russia Could Deploy ICBMs In Belarus

 

Reuters: Lukashenko: Russia could put intercontinental missiles in Belarus if necessary 

(Reuters) - President Alexander Lukashenko said on Friday that Russia, which has already decided to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, could if necessary put intercontinental nuclear missiles there too. 

In an annual address to lawmakers and government officials, Lukashenko said Moscow's plans to station nuclear arms on the territory of its close ally would help protect Belarus, which he said was under threat from the West. 

"I am not trying to intimidate or blackmail anyone. I want to safeguard the Belarusian state and ensure peace for the Belarusian people," Lukashenko said.  

Read more .... 

Belarusian President Lukashenko Says Russia Could Deploy ICBMs In Belarus 

Lukashenko says Putin could deploy more powerful Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus -- CNN  

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko warns of threat of invasion, says Belarus needs Russian nuclear arms ahead of meeting with Putin -- ABC News Australia  

Belarus might host strategic nuclear weapons, says Lukashenko -- Al Jazeera  

Belarus ready to host Russian strategic nuclear weapons – president -- RT

Russian President Putin And Belarusian President Lukashenko Discuss Expanding Military And Economic Cooperation Amid The War In Ukraine

 

WNU Editor: Both leaders are now meeting each other every month. For more details on today's Putin-Lukashenko meeting .... Russia, Belarus discuss closer military, economic ties (AP).

Russia Sends More Troops To Belarus

In this handout photo taken from video released by the Russian defence ministry on December 28, Russian troops take part in drills at an unspecified location in Belarus [File: Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP]  

Al Jazeera: Russia sends more troops to Belarus as fears of new attack grow  

Ukraine says Belarus could be used as a staging post by Moscow for an offensive from the north, opening up a new front. 

A train carrying Russian troops and equipment has arrived in Belarus amid concerns that Moscow could use its ally’s territory to attack Ukraine from the north. 

The Belarusian defence ministry confirmed the arrival of the contingent on Friday and said President Alexander Lukashenko had visited a military base where Russian troops are already stationed. 

During the meeting, Lukashenko and an unnamed representative from the Russian army discussed the two countries’ joint military drills, it said. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Ukraine is beefing up its defenses on the Belarus border (see video below): 

 

Russia Sends More Troops To Belarus  

Lukashenko visits Russian troops stationed in Belarus -- Reuters 

Lukashenko visits Russian troops in Belarus: We are doing a common thing -- Ukrayinska Pravda  

Russia and Belarus beef up joint military grouping, plan drills -- Euronews  

Belarus to conduct air force drills with Russia -- SKY News

Russia Extends Troop Drills And Military Exercises In Belarus

 

RT: Russia to prolong military drills in Belarus 

Moscow and Minsk to continue war games as tension increases near Ukraine Belarus and Russia have decided to extend the length of their joint exercises “due to the increase in military activity” near the two nations’ borders, Minsk announced on Sunday. 

The joint Russian-Belarusian training exercise, named ‘Union Resolve’, began on February 10 and was scheduled to end on Sunday. 

The drills have seen thousands of servicemen from both nations gather in Belarus to practice offensive maneuvers. However, many Western politicians have suggested that this is simply an excuse to gather troops near the border of Ukraine, ahead of a potential invasion. 

Both Minsk and Moscow have denied plans to attack.  

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WNU Editor: Apparently the Belarusians are not impressed with these Russian soldiers .... 'They Drink A Lot, Sell Their Fuel': Belarusians Give Low Marks To Russian Troops Deployed For Drills (RFE). 

Russia Extends Troop Drills And Military Exercises In Belarus  

Russian Forces to Stay in Belarus as Ukraine Braced for War -- Moscow Times  

Ukraine crisis: Russia extends military exercises in Belarus - raising further fears invasion may be imminent -- SKY News 

Russian troops will remain indefinitely, says Belarus, as fears rise of Ukraine invasion -- The Guardian 

Russia, Belarus Extend Joint Military Exercises, Minsk Says -- RFE  

Russia and Belarus extend military drills amid Ukraine tensions -- Al Jazeera  

Russia Extends Troop Drills in Belarus Amid Sustained Shelling in Eastern Ukraine -- VOA

Russia Begins Massive Military Drills In Belarus

 

CNBC: Russia begins massive military drills with Belarus; U.S. slams ‘escalatory’ action 

* Russia has begun 10 days of military exercises with its neighbor Belarus as tensions remain high over a large build-up of troops along its border with Ukraine. 

* Around 30,000 Russian troops are believed to be in Belarus to take part in the exercises, according to NATO, which has said the drills are the biggest Russian deployment there since the Cold War. 

Russia has begun 10 days of military exercises with its neighbor Belarus on Thursday as tensions remain high over a large build-up of troops along its border with Ukraine. 

Around 30,000 Russian troops are believed to be in Belarus to take part in the exercises, according to NATO, which has said the drills are the biggest Russian deployment there since the Cold War. 

The drills, which Russia has said are primarily aimed at practicing ways to repel “external aggression” are widely seen as a show of strength by Russia. 

The exercises come at a time when 100,000 Russian troops remain located at various points along Russia’s border with Ukraine.  

Read more .... 

 Russia Begins Massive Military Drills In Belarus  

Russia, Belarus Begin War Games Amid Outcry From Ukraine, West -- RFE  

Russia Launches Belarus Military Drills as West Fears Ukraine Invasion -- Moscow Times/AFP  

Russia begins huge war games in Belarus amid Ukraine invasion fears -- ABC News  

Ukraine crisis: Russia begins military drills in Belarus -- DW  

Belarus military drills to begin as Russia ratchets up Ukraine tensions -- The Guardian  

Top Russian commander arrives in Belarus for war games -- The Hill  

Russia and Belarus hold joint military exercises as diplomatic talks ramp back up -- CNN  

Russia starts military drills in Belarus amid warnings it could invade neighboring Ukraine any day -- Insider 

Russia begins massive military exercises in Belarus and Black Sea -- Axios  

NATO and Russia hold war games amid negotiations to reverse the escalating crisis on Ukraine's borders -- CBS

Russia, Belarus To Hold Joint Military Exercises Next Month

 

Daily Mail: Russia sends troops and military vehicles to Belarus in move likely to increase fears of Ukraine invasion ahead of Putin's 'war games' with ally Lukashenko 

* Russia is transporting troops and armoured vehicles to Belarus for 'war games' 

* Ukraine will be surrounded by Russian troops on its eastern and northern border 

* Military analysts have suggested Russia could send its forces through Belarus 

Russia has started to move its troops towards Belarus for joint military exercises and live-fire drills as fears increase of an invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. 

Train and road convoys of armoured vehicles have been arriving after president Alexander Lukashenko announced upcoming war games with Russian forces next month. 

The military exercises named United Resolve in Ukraine's northern neighbour are taking place at the same time as Russia continues to amass troops on Ukraine's eastern border, setting the scene for a potential invasion.  

Read more .... 

Russia, Belarus To Hold Joint Military Exercises Next Month  

Russia, Belarus to practice scenario of employing entire military potential — top brass -- TASS  

Russian Military Starts Belarus Drills as Ukraine Talks Stall -- Moscow Times/AFP  

Belarus Announces Joint Drills With Russia in February -- Moscow Times  

Russia, Belarus to rehearse repelling external attack in joint drills -- Reuters  

Russia moves more troops westward amid Ukraine tensions -- AP 

Russia sends troops to Belarus for war games -- The Hill  

Russia moving troops near Ukraine for joint exercises with Belarus -- UPI  

Russia, Belarus to Play War Games Near Ukraine Border Amid Worries of Pending Invasion -- Newsweek

Russian President Putin Warns Belarus Over Threats To Cut Gas To The European Union

©Mikhail Metsel / Pool via Spunik  

Reuters: Putin says any Belarusian move to cut gas flows risks hitting ties 

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that Belarus had not consulted him before raising the possibility of cutting Russian natural gas flows to Europe, adding that such a move would risk harming ties between Minsk and its key ally Moscow. 

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko threatened on Thursday to retaliate against any new European Union sanctions against Minsk over a migrant standoff on the Belarus-EU border, suggesting he could halt the transit of gas and other goods via Belarus. 

His warning briefly lifted spot gas prices in Europe, which gets about a third of its supplies of the fuel from Russia, including via the Yamal-Europe pipeline that runs through Belarus to Poland and Germany.  

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WNU Editor: Russian media is very clear on what is the Kremlin's position on Belarus cutting any natural gas supplies to Europe .... Putin warns Belarus of major fallout if it cuts off gas to EU (RT).  

Update: More reaction from President Putin .... Putin comments on allegations of Russian involvement in Poland-Belarus border standoff (RT). 

More News On Russian President Putin Warning Belarus Over Threats To Cut Gas To The European Union  

Putin warns Belarus over threats to cut gas to European Union -- NYPost  

Putin Says ‘Nothing Good’ If Belarus Halts Gas Flows to EU -- Bloomberg 

Kremlin says Lukashenko did not consult it on threat to cut Russian gas supplies -- Reuters 

Russia: Belarus Didn’t Coordinate With Moscow Threat To Halt Gas To Europe -- OilPrice.com

Two Russian Strategic Bombers Patrol Belarusian Airspace As Migrant Crisis Escalates

Image: Alexander Belyutkov via Wikimedia Commons.  

Reuters: Russia flies nuclear-capable bombers over Belarus as migrant crisis escalates 

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia took the rare step of dispatching two nuclear-capable strategic bombers to patrol Belarusian airspace on Wednesday in a show of support to close ally Belarus at a time when it is locked in a migrant standoff with the European Union. 

Moscow's decision to up the ante came as the 27-nation bloc considered sanctions on Wednesday to punish Minsk for what it calls an artificially created crisis, something Belarus denies. 

Migrants trapped in Belarus made multiple attempts to force their way into Poland overnight, Warsaw said on Wednesday, announcing that it had reinforced the border with extra guards.  

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WNU Editor: The official reason for this patrol is to test the air defenses over Belarus .... Two Russian Tu-22M3 bombers fly over Belarus to check Union State air defenses (TASS). 

The real reason is to give support to Belarus President Lukashenko in his dispute with the EU over the current migrant crisis at the Polish-Belarus border.

Belarusian Leader Lukashenka Meets Putin In Moscow For Crucial Talks Over 'Union State' Integration

 

The Guardian: Putin and Lukashenko discuss integrating Russia and Belarus 

Russian president and Belarusian leader negotiate over greater union of countries’ economies and policies 

Vladimir Putin is meeting with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko in the Kremlin on Thursday as the two discuss negotiations to integrate their countries’ economies and government policies before massive joint military exercises. 

Ahead of the talks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said that no documents were expected to be signed, signalling that the isolated Lukashenko continues to resist pressure from Moscow to concede control over government policy in exchange for Russian support.

Read more ....  

Update #1: Lukashenka Meets Putin For Crucial Talks Over 'Union State' Integration -- RFE  

Update #2: Russia and Belarus seek closer embrace with political deal and military drills -- Financial Times  

WNU Editor: Both countries have deep language and cultural ties. But even with this connection, most Belarusians do not want to be absorbed by Russia, and most Russians have no enthusiasm for such an integration. The people in both countries also despise Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.

As to what is my opinion. 

Belarus owes billions to Russia that it cannot pay, and this is one way to ignore the debt and maybe get more in return. 

Case in point. 

Here comes the cheap Russian gas .... Putin Says He, Lukashenka Agreed On Unified Gas Market (RFE).

One more point. I also despise Lukashenko.

Russian Money Is Keeping Belarus Afloat

Belarus' leader Alexander Lukashenko (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin enjoy a close relationship 

 DW: How Russian money keeps Belarus afloat 

Moscow does not financially support any other country as generously as it does Belarus. DW spoke with economic experts to learn about this lopsided relationship, and the strain it places on the Russian budget. 

Russia has supported its western neighbor Belarus for decades — long before the European Union and the United States imposed sanctions on Minsk and President Alexander Lukashenko. Earlier this summer, Moscow loaned its ally $500 million (€423 million) — six months prior, it had issued Lukashenko's regime a similar sum. 

Looking on from the outside, such figures appear to be a largish run-of-the-mill loan that one country grants another and for which interest is collected. But the situation with Belarus and Russia is different. According to observers: interest is mounting and debts carry on growing year in and year out, yet Minsk continues to receive new loans from Moscow. 

Russia has been subsidizing its neighbor for years. Between 2005 and 2015, Moscow pumped $106 billion into the Belarus economy, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).  

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WNU Editor: The IMF report that Russia has subsidized Belarus to the tune of $106 billion between 2005 and 2015 is probably correct. And that support has even grown even more since 2015. 

But that is the history of the Kremlin when it comes to giving support to other countries. 

$6 billion a year to Cuba when the Soviet Union existed, and money that has since been written off.

$40 to $50 billion a year to Ukraine before that relationship imploded in 2014 (and is one of the reasons why the Ukraine economy is still floundering). 

Venezuela owes Russia approximately $60 billion for arms purchases and other aid. 

And then there is Russian support of the Assad regime in Syria. God only knows how much money that disaster is costing.  

Update: This would be a catastrophe .... Belarus leader ready to invite Russian troops ‘if necessary’ (AP). More here .... Belarus leader would 'not hesitate' to invite Russian troops if needed (Reuters).

Why Does President Putin Continue To Support Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko?

Kremlin.ru  

Kirill Rogov, Moscow Times: How Lukashenko Became a Bone in Putin’s Throat 

Belarus’s deepening political isolation makes it easier but also more expensive for Moscow to control Lukashenko. 

The only the thing the public has been told about the recent five-hour meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is that Putin invited his guest to go swimming and that Lukashenko promised to show his host some documents he carried in his grandfather’s phoney carpet bag. 

 The whole thing was a photo op for voters of the same retirement age in both “fraternal” countries. It was an attempt to impress them with the two leaders braving the elements, with five hours of supposedly fruitful talks and a carpet bag from which Lukashenko could magically retrieve documents revealing “the true situation” the same way Marry Poppins could fantastically pull floor lamps and furnishings from hers.   

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WNU Editor: I regard Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko as a lost cause. His support now only comes from governmental officials who owe their positions to him, and the security forces who are paid to do what they do. The financial backer for this circus is the Kremlin, doling out a few billion each year to keep the loyalty of its dictator and the lights on. 

My prediction. 

As long as it only costs a billion or two to keep some semblance of control over Lukashenko, the Kremlin is not going to change its policy. This is regrettable and IMHO a long term strategic mistake. The ties between the people of Belarus and Russia have a  long history that is deep and friendly. But this support of Lukashenko by the Kremlin will destroy this bond, and will create serious national security and political problems in the future. And on top of all of that. Russians en masse hate Lukashenko. Which makes Putin's actions and policy moves even more regrettable.

Russia Bails Out Belarussian President Lukashenko Again

 

Daily Mail: President Putin and Belarus leader Lukashenko 'agree loan deal' during a yacht tour in Sochi amid international uproar over the hijacking of Ryanair flight to detain dissident journalist 

* Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko went on a yacht tour in Sochi today 

* Russia will move ahead with a second £352million loan to Belarus next month 

* Lukashenko ordered hijacking of Ryanair plane as it crossed Belarusian airspace 

* Dissident blogger Roman Protasevich and girlfriend Sofia Sapega were arrested 

Vladimir Putin and Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko have 'agreed a loan deal' during a yacht tour in Sochi amid international uproar over the hijacking of a Ryanair flight to detain a dissident journalist. 

The Russian President and Mr Lukashenko held a second day of talks - as well as a yacht tour - in the southern Russian city of Sochi on Saturday. 

The former-Soviet superpower will move ahead with a second £352million loan to Belarus next month amid the latest standoff with the West.  

Read more .... 

More News On President Putin and Belarus Leader Lukashenko Meeting In The Southern Russian City Of Sochi  

Vladimir Putin hosts Alexander Lukashenko amid wave of criticism from the West -- DW  

Russia Ready To Send $500 Million Loan Tranche To Belarusian Government -- RFE  

Russia confirms $500m loan for Belarus as West toughens sanctions -- Al Jazeera  

Russia confirms second loan for Belarus in talks in Sochi -- Global Times  

WNU Editor: Throwing good money after bad. That is how I describe this. 

I also noticed that Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko brought his son (and presumed heir) to this meeting with Putin on his boat. 

Russia Blocking Airlines From Landing In Russia If They Avoid Belarus's Airspace

 

The Guardian: Russia refuses to allow European planes to land in Moscow 

Retaliation over Belarus airspace row results in cancellation of flights from French and Austrian carriers 

Russia has retaliated against a ban on carriers entering Belarus’s airspace by refusing to grant permission to European planes flying to Moscow. 

In an apparent escalation by the Kremlin, Russian aviation authorities forced Austrian Airlines to cancel its flight from Vienna to the Russian capital. 

Air France also cancelled its Paris-Moscow flight for the second day in a row, after it was denied permission on Wednesday to land in Russia.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Russian President Putin is downplaying this crisis .... Belarus plane diversion: Putin plays down crisis at talks with Lukashenko (BBC). 

Yeah .... good luck on that. 

More News On Russia Blocking Airlines From Landing In Russia If They Avoid Belarus's Airspace  

Russian authorities deny entry to European airlines as EU mulls sanctions on Belarus -- CNN  

Belarus: Russia blocks some flights for avoiding its ally -- BBC  

Russia prohibits Austrian Airlines flight to arrive without entering Belarusian airspace -- DW  

Russia refused entry to 2 airlines from France and Austria because they planned to avoid Belarusian airspace -- Business Insider

Belarusian Leader Lukashenka To Meet Russian President Putin On February 22

Belarus's Alyaksandr Lukashenka (left) with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi in September 

RFE: Lukashenka Says He Will Not Ask For Money At Talks With Putin 

Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka says he does not plan to ask for money from Russia when he holds talks in Moscow with President Vladimir Putin on February 22. 

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov on February 18 confirmed the meeting of the two leaders, saying he expects a "quite extensive" discussion on issues ranging from bilateral relations to international issues. 

One thing that won't be on the agenda, Lukashenka said at a meeting with the State Secretary of the Russia-Belarus Union state, Grigory Rapota, is a request from Minsk for money. 

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WNU Editor: He will be asking for money. My friends in Belarus tell me that after months of protests and sanctions, the economy is in a total mess.