Putin hopes for Merkel-Lukashenko dialogue to resolve Belarus crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin is banking on direct dialogue between Belarus and Germany to resolve the migrant crisis at Belarus' borders with Poland, where thousands of people are trapped, reported dpa, quoting a television.

"I understood from conversations with [Belarusian President] Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko and Chancellor (Angela) Merkel that they are ready to talk to each other," said Putin in an interview broadcast on Russian national television.

Putin said he hoped that Lukashenko would not interrupt gas deliveries from Russia to Europe, via Belarus, as he had threatened to do a few days ago.

Having spoken to the Belarusian strongman two times recently, Putin said: "He didn't even mention it. But he can do it. But no good will come of it, and of course I talk to him about the issue."

Putin also underlined that Russian airlines weren't involved in transporting migrants to Belarus.