Alyaksandr Lukashenka needs Vladimir Putin's money. And Putin needs Lukashenka's loyalty.
So will they make a deal?
On this week's Power Vertical Briefing, we look ahead to this week's meeting between Putin and Lukashenka in St. Petersburg.
Joining me is RFE/RL's News Editor Steve Gutterman.
Also on The Briefing, Steve and I discuss calls for new protests in Russia.
Enjoy...
NOTE: The Power Vertical Briefing is a short look ahead to the stories expected to make news in Russia in the coming week. It is hosted by Brian Whitmore, author of The Power Vertical blog, and appears on Mondays.