Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko confirms plan to change constitution: Kremlin

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on September 14 confirmed during his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin that he plans to change constitution. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov after 4 hours of talks in Black Sea resort of Sochi said that Lukashenko has confirmed his intention of making changes to constitution. Both Russia and Belarus have a union agreement envisioning close political, ecomic and military ties.

Protests continue in Belarus

Lukashenko made a visit to Russia amid growing demand for his resignation. In Belarus, more than 100,000 protestors marched through streets of Minsk on Sunday, September 13 demanding resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko. Belarus protests have entered ir sixth week despite multiple reports of arrest and authoritarian crackdowns on anti-government demonstrations. On Sunday, protestors were also seen carrying placards critical of Russia due to meeting that had been scheduled. 

Read: Belarus President Lukashenko Set To Meet Putin To Seek Support Amid Protests

Last month, in a show of support for Lukashenko, Putin had said he is ready to send Russian police into Belarus if protests turn violent. re were also observers who believed that Lukashenko is going into meeting in a weak position as he had previously said that Putin wants Russia to absorb Belarus entirely. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has served 26 years in office and was declared to have won recent elections but protestors believe that ballot was rigged. Meanwhile, both European Union and United States have called Belarus elections neir free r fair. Putin had immediately congratulated incumbent leader and expressed hope that government under Lukashenko’s leadership will facilitate furr development of “mutually beneficial Russian-Belarusian relations” in all areas. Russian president has been pushing for closer ties with Belarus to wield greater dominance in region and grave political crisis could act as catalyst in Putin’s favour.

Read: Belarus: Thousands Of Women Protest Against Lukashenko Demanding His Resignation

Sviatlana Tsikhauskaya, main opposition leader who went up against Lukashenko in elections has been forced to flee country after several threats to her life and is currently residing in Poland. Meanwhile, bel laureate Svetlana Alexievich has accused Belarusian authorities of terrorising ir own people as she urged protestors to remain united in face of adversity. Alexievich reportedly summoned her supporters to her home after ar opposition figure, Maxim Znak, was detained by masked men in plain clos in latest round-up ordered by President Alexander Lukashenko.

Read: Belarus President Lukashenko Brings Teen Son To Frontline As Protests Intensify

Also Read: Lukashenko Concerned Over NATO Drills At Border

(Im Credits: AP)