A calculated Minsk

18 Aug 2020 By Dasha Afanasieva Follow @dasha_reuters

President Alexander Lukashenko’s future is in serious doubt after days of protests against his re-election. Minsk has limited economic ties to the non-Russian world, but Moscow has enough leverage to push for a friendly new regime. Belarus can avoid becoming another Ukraine.

This content is for Subscribers only

Context News

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko would be ready to hold new elections and hand over power after a constitutional referendum, the leader said on Aug. 17 in an attempt to pacify mass protests and strikes that pose the biggest challenge yet to his 26-year rule.

The European Union is considering imposing sanctions on Belarusian individuals linked to violence and election fraud, Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said on Aug. 18, after a bloody crackdown on protests following what demonstrators say was Lukashenko’s rigged re-election victory last week. Lukashenko cites official results that gave him just over 80% of the vote.

Email a friend

Please complete the form below.

Required fields *