Febuary 23, 2021

Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko thanked Russia's President Vladimir Putin for the economic support his country received when he was facing mass anti-government protests last year.

Russia provided Belarus with a $1.5 billion loan last September, supporting Lukashenko as protesters took to the streets across Belarus following an August 9 election, which opponents say was rigged.

Lukashenko denies electoral fraud and has remained in power. Moscow said the money was to be put towards refinancing previous loans.

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https://newseu.cgtn.com/news/2021-02-23/Putin-and-Lukashenko-display-solidarity-amid-protests-and-EU-pressure--Y7s72ijeFi/index.html