Belarus issues tough warning to Russia over energy dispute

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — The leader of Belarus has warned Russia that it could lose its ally if it fails to offer compensation for higher oil prices.
President Alexander Lukashenko’s statement comes amid a bitter energy dispute that has marred close ties between the two neighbors and allies.
The Belarusian leader, who has ruled the ex-Soviet nation of 10 million with an iron fist for nearly a quarter-century, has relied on loans and cheap energy from Russia. Belarus has exported oil pro