Putin to meet Lukashenka ahead of new gas payment deadline
Alexander Lukashenka and Vladimir Putin are expected to meet at the Russian resort city of Sochi on August 22. The meeting is to take place on this date in accordance with the working schedule of the Russian president, according to a source inside the Russian diplomatic circles.
"The presidents are most likely to focus on gas, oil and the loan that Belarus is seeking from the Russian government," the Russian news agency Prime-Tass quotes an anonymous diplomatic insider.
Belarus first vice prime minister Uladzimir Siamashka said that Belarus had to pay around $150 million to Russia's Gazprom for the gas supplied in July 2007. The payment deadline is August 23.
Lukashenka is to fly to Sochi on the eve of the deadline when the money must be wired to the Russian gas giant.
"The presidents are most likely to focus on gas, oil and the loan that Belarus is seeking from the Russian government," the Russian news agency Prime-Tass quotes an anonymous diplomatic insider.
Belarus first vice prime minister Uladzimir Siamashka said that Belarus had to pay around $150 million to Russia's Gazprom for the gas supplied in July 2007. The payment deadline is August 23.
Lukashenka is to fly to Sochi on the eve of the deadline when the money must be wired to the Russian gas giant.
