The leader of Belarus boasted Tuesday about warming ties with the
United States as his officials discussed alternative energy imports as part of efforts to win concessions from Russia.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has prodded his main ally and sponsor,
Russia, to continue providing low-priced oil and gas to shore up his nation's Soviet-style economy.
Lukashenko said he expects to meet with
Russian President
Vladimir Putin on Friday for another round of talks.