Belarus threatens not to sign integration deal with Russia if 'oil and gas issues' unresolved

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko addresses the media after casting his vote during the parliamentary election in Minsk, Belarus November 17, 2019. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko

MINSK (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko threatened on Sunday not to sign an integration deal with Moscow later this year if Moscow fails to resolve "oil and gas issues".

Russia has provided energy subsidies and loans to Belarus to keep Minsk in its political orbit but now plans to phase these out to lessen the burden on its economy.