MOSCOW (Reuters) – Talks between Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi have ended, Belarusian media reported on Monday.

The talks lasted more than 4 hours. Putin has promised a $1.5 billion loan to Lukashenko, who flew to entreat his patron for help as street protests in Belarus showed no sign of abating.

(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

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