Belarus raises stakes in relations with Kremlin and European Union

At a meeting with President Lukashenko Chinese President Xi Jinping said he was ready to open a new era of bilateral relations with Belarus. The parties signed a number of agreements, which envisage substantial loans for implementation of joint infrastructure projects. However, these are long-term agreements for tied loans, rather than investment cooperation deals. Belarus is unlikely to count on implementation of all agreements with the Chinese leadership, she rather plans to use Sino-Belarusian cooperation in order to reduce the pressure from the Kremlin, and as an additional factor in settling relations with Western capitals.