Russia to provide $2 billion loan to Belarus: PutinDecember 26, 2013 - 10:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Russian government will provide Belarus up to $2 billion in a long-term loan next year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday, Dec 25, according to RIA Novosti. “The Russian government has decided to render assistance to our colleagues in connection with recent events on global markets, and provide Belarus with an additional loan of up to $2 billion,” Putin said. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said the loan would be financed from Russia’s budget and “other sources.” No money for the loan is expected to be withdrawn from Russia’s National Welfare Fund, an off-budget reserve of accumulated oil and gas revenue. Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |