Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist since 1994, has accused the United States and its allies of fomenting unrest in the ex-Soviet country. Daily protests in Belarus have continued despite arrests and pressure, peaking on weekends with crowds of 100,000 and more. Belarus state television said that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called Lukashenko on Saturday, and the Belarusian president told Pompeo about a “national dialogue” taking place in the country. The EU and the United States also reiterated "their strong support for the independence and sovereignty of Belarus,” the State Department said. On Thursday, the EU awarded its top human rights prize to Tsikhanouskaya, 38, and the Belarus opposition movement.

Source: ABC News October 24, 2020 16:50 UTC