Lukashenko to Putin: West Wants Unrest in Belarus

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko complained on Friday that the West is trying to cause unrest in his country. He told President Vladimir Putin that during a visit to neighbouring Russia.

 

The Lukashenko regime has come under heavy international fire for the forced landing of a Ryanair plane in Minsk, where authorities arrested a dissident on board. During the summit in Sochi, more could become clear about the support he can expect from Putin.

Lukashenko’s office had announced ahead of the conversation that the leaders will “compare notes on the most pressing matters.” This includes the fuss that arose about last week’s plane riot.

Putin scorned, according to Russian media, that such outrage did not materialize when the Bolivian president’s plane was supposed to land in Austria in 2013. That was allegedly related to the suspicion that whistleblower Edward Snowden may have been on board.

Lukashenko accused the West of wanting to cause similar unrest as last August. Then his controversial election victory sparked massive protests. Security forces cracked down on this, and the 66-year-old Lukashenko was able to hold on to power.