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Russian president signals apparent discontent with Lukashenka's decision to offer refuge to ousted Kyrgyz leader

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday signaled what appeared to be the Kremlin's discontent with Alyaksandr Lukashenka's decision to offer refuge to ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, as quoted by BelaPAN. 

"Real partnership is one thing and a declaration of intentions is another; reaching agreement on working seriously, meeting each other halfway, helping each other is one thing and making decisions about granting permanent residence to people who have lost their job is another," Mr. Medvedev said following talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Viktor Yanukovych, in Kharkiv.

The president was replying to a question about whether Belarus could count on cheaper gas from Russia. "Intentions are compared with the steps that have been made. If we speak about discounts of sorts, about assistance, then a question arises: for the sake of what and in exchange for what. This must be partnership," Mr. Medvedev said.