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Putin Grants'¯Belarus $1.5 Billion Loan

VOA News

   Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday granted a $1.5 billion loan
   to Belarus as a show of support for its embattled leader, Alexander
   Lukashenko, after weeks of street demonstrations that have accused him
   of rigging last month's election to retain power in Minsk.

   The two leaders met at the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi for nearly
   four hours. Putin gave few details about the loan, although the Kremlin
   later said some of the new money would be used to refinance earlier
   loans. Russia also said the two presidents had agreed to boost trade
   cooperation and discussed energy supplies.

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