Ukraine crisis: Russia keeps troops in Belarus amid Ukraine fears

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his ally Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko have extended military drills which were due to end on Sunday.

Belarus cited the "deterioration of the situation" in east Ukraine as one reason for keeping an estimated 30,000 Russian troops on its territory.

The move will add to fears that Russia plans an invasion of Ukraine, which shares a long border with Belarus.

Western leaders have accused Moscow of seeking a pretext to send in troops.