Russia wary to support Belarus amid fallout from plane ‘hijack’

Analysis: Minsk and Moscow watching carefully to see if EU makes good on threat of targeted economic sanctions

A new wave of sanctions and restrictive measures on Belarus's aviation industry, severing its direct links with much of Europe, looks set to increase the country's reliance on Russia, yet Moscow, its remaining ally, appears wary.

Kremlin officials have offered only muted support over an incident that has been described as air piracy" and an act of state terrorism" by Alexander Lukashenko, a leader whom Vladimir Putin treats as a junior partner, and often with open disdain.