Today, a telephone conversation took place between the presidents of Russia and Belarus, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, the Kremlin press service informs.
"The discussion of the situation in Belarus after the presidential elections was continued, including taking into account the pressure exerted on the Republic from outside," the message of the press-service reads.
In a conversation with his Belarusian counterpart, the Russian head of state confirmed his readiness to assist in resolving the issues through the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). "The Russian side reaffirmed its readiness to provide the necessary assistance in resolving the problems encountered on the basis of the principles of the Treaty on the Establishment of the Union State, as well as, if necessary, through the Collective Security Treaty Organization," the message says.
Note that this is the second telephone conversation between the presidents of Russia and Belarus over the past two days. During the talks held the day before, Putin and Lukashenko expressed confidence that all problems in Belarus will soon be resolved. "Alexander Lukashenko informed about the situation in Belarus after the presidential elections. Both sides expressed confidence that all the problems encountered will soon be resolved," the Kremlin press service reported.
A rally of Lukashenko’s supporters is currently taking place on Independence Square in the center of Minsk. Several thousand people gathered at the square, TASS reports.
Immediately after, a protest action will be held there against the results of the presidential elections announced by the CEC and the current government.
Recall that presidential elections were held in Belarus on August 9. According to the CEC final data, Lukashenko received 80.1% of the vote, while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya only 10.12%. She stated that she did not recognize these results. Immediately after summing up the first results of the voting, mass protests started in the cities of Belarus, which escalated into clashes with law enforcement officers. The rallies are held every day in Belarus for a week, from the day of the presidential elections on August 9. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, about 6,000 people were detained, dozens of police officers and demonstrators are injured.
