The Russian government will provide Belarus up to $2 billion in a long-term loan next year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday, Dec 25, according to RIA Novosti.

“The Russian government has decided to render assistance to our colleagues in connection with recent events on global markets, and provide Belarus with an additional loan of up to $2 billion,” Putin said.

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said the loan would be financed from Russia’s budget and “other sources.”

No money for the loan is expected to be withdrawn from Russia’s National Welfare Fund, an off-budget reserve of accumulated oil and gas revenue.