Accused of rigging last Sunday’s election, Mr. Lukashenko had earlier issued an appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin as the Belarus leader grapples with the biggest challenge to his 26-year rule and the threat of new Western sanctions. AdvertisingAdvertisingStatements by both sides contained a pointed reference to a “union state” between the two countries. Mr. Lukashenko has previously rejected calls by Moscow for closer economic and political ties as an assault on his country’s sovereignty. Tens of thousands took to the streets of the Belarusian capital on Saturday. Crowds gathered to lay flowers where one of the protesters was killed this week, waving flags and chanting ”go away” and “Lukashenko is a murderer”.

Source: The Hindu August 15, 2020 17:04 UTC