Support The Moscow Times!

Putin and Lukashenko Meet to Discuss Uralkali Dispute

President Vladimir Putin and his Belarussian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, discussed Monday a dispute between the ex-Soviet states over Russian potash producer Uralkali, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Peskov did not say whether the leaders had reached any agreement that could lead to the return to Russia of Uralkali's chief executive Vladislav Baumgertner, who was arrested in Minsk last month and remains behind bars following the collapse in July of a lucrative sales joint venture run by Uralkali.

Russia said last week it expected Belarus to hand over Baumgertner soon.

Putin and Lukashenko met on the sidelines of a summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a security alliance of six former Soviet republics, in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more