Belarus leader concedes nothing to Russia or opponents

Significance

Lukashenka consolidated his domestic position with an election that gave him an entirely loyal parliament before his summit with Putin, at which he gave nothing away.

Impacts

• Lukashenka may now have concluded that democratic concessions are no longer essential to engagement with the West.
• The president has indicated that a vaguely defined plan for constitutional reform will not happen before he is re-elected.
• The World Bank says Belarus's growth outlook is 'clouded' by lack of agreement on compensation for Russia's new energy tax system.