Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has found himself increasingly isolated since flight controllers told the crew of a Ryanair plane to land in Minsk on Sunday, citing an alleged bomb threat. Mr Putin appeared relaxed and invited Mr Lukashenko for a swim, while the Belarusian leader looked tense as he launched a long rant accusing the West of being untrustworthy and hypocritical. “They have punished the Belavia staff who have helped evacuate thousands of their people!” Mr Lukashenko exclaimed. “The Bolivian president’s plane was forced to land, the president was taken off the plane, and it was OK, everyone kept silent,” Mr Putin said with a chuckle. The showdown over the Ryanair diversion has pushed Mr Lukashenko, who has relentlessly stifled dissent during his rule of more than a quarter-century, even closer to his main ally and sponsor, Russia.

Source: Irish Independent May 29, 2021 01:30 UTC