Embattled Belarus President calls for Russian military assistance, says 'we will perish'

embattled President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko has t only rejected calls for a rerun of votes but raised yet ar call for Russian President Vlimir Putin to intervene and protect his 26-year-old leership. According to reports, in telephonic conversations on Saturday and Sunday with Kremlin, besieged Belurasian President sought confirmation from Russia that it would provide military support against external threats. 

Lukashenko warned supporters that country was battling with foreign pressure of repeating vote on August 9 that gave him a sixth term. However, opposition has responded with nationwide demonstrations that have attracted as many as 200,000 people. Belarusian President said while dressing his supporters that if authorities listen to or nations, “we will perish”. 

“Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and our native Ukraine, ir leership are ordering us to hold new elections,” Lukashenko said. “If we follow ir le, we will go into a tailspin … we will perish as a people, as a state, as a nation.”

Kremlin has said that it stands with Lukashenko and will be prompt to abide by collective military pact. In same line as embattled President of Belarus, Moscow has also said that European nation is being subjected to external pressure but did t name source.

Re - Prague Protest In Support Of Belarus Opposition

Re - Leer Of Belarus Rejects Calls To Rerun Presidential Vote

NATO spokesperson rejected claims

Day after Lukashenko said that Russia h agreed to send military support, NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu rejected claims and said that re is NATO buildup in region. Meanwhile, Collective Treaty Security Organization which is a military alliance of six former Soviet states including Belarus, said it would think about providing assistance if Belarus requested it.

“NATO’s multinational presence in eastern part of Alliance is t a threat to any country,” Lungescu said. “It’s strictly defensive, proportionate & designed to prevent conflict & preserve peace.”

Lukashenko on August 10 secured yet ar term as country's president after authorities anunced preliminary results in which 65-year-old former Soviet Army member allegedly secured over 80 per cent of total votes polled. Opposition leers, including main challenger Sviatlana Tsikhauskaya deunced outcome and called it a rigged election. 

Re - Lukashenko Calls On Supporters To Defend Belarus

Re - Anti-govt March In Belarus Demands Change Of President

Inputs: AP