NATO denied claims it’s organizing a buildup of troops at Belarus’ border, as mass protests continue in Minsk against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s election victory two weeks ago. The exercise is “mandated under NATO’s Assurance Measures, implemented in 2014 after Russia’s illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea. Meanwhile, a heavy police and Army presence was seen in Belarus’ capital city of Minsk as demonstrators began to gather once again in the streets Sunday. Protests unprecedented in Belarus for their size and duration broke out after the Aug. 9 presidential election, in which election officials say Lukashenko won a sixth term in a landslide. Protesters allege the officials' results are fraudulent and are calling for Lukashenko to resign.

Source: Fox News August 23, 2020 13:52 UTC