so it's no surprise putin has been busy on the phone holding talks with merkel mark kroll and the european council chief we all see russia as an actor that can help influence or regulate the situation a better routes is russia's closest historical ally a vital economic and military partner and the buffer zone against nato over recent years have seen their relationship strained to say the least nevertheless moscow would surely rather put up with a look of shame goes over to yours that the west and risk chaos on its borders the russian side emphasized that any attempt at external interference in the internal affair. years of belarus which could lead to a further escalation of the crisis would be an acceptable. for many years but hasn't exactly been a top priority for the united states in 2006 they slap sanctions on minsk for you guessed it undemocratic elections and in 2008 the country's expelled each other's ambassadors but earlier this year things began to change for the 1st time since 1904 minutes got a visit from the u.s. secretary of state. generously offered to meet all of his energy n