MOSCOW — President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia threw his embattled, authoritarian ally in Belarus a fresh lifeline on Sept. 9, pledging cheap natural gas and more than $600 million in new loans as part of a push to more closely integrate the post-Soviet neighbors.
New York Times: Russia and Belarus inch closer to a full-blown merger
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks during a press conference with Russian President following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on Sept. 9, 2021.
