Lukashenko, a key ally of Moscow, denies electoral fraud and has said the protesters are backed from abroad. The three small Baltic states, two of which border on Belarus, have led calls within Europe for strong action to support the opposition in Belarus. Lukashenko threatened on Friday to cut off European transit routes across his country in retaliation against any sanctions. Belarus is also a major overland route for European goods bound for Russia, and carries pipelines used to ship Russian oil to Europe. President Vladimir Putin has invited Lukashenko to Moscow, seen as a sign the Kremlin is willing to back his hold on power.

Source: bd News24 August 31, 2020 09:00 UTC