Russia's Putin to meet Belarusian counterpart in Moscow in coming weeks

Russian President Vlimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko have agreed to meet in Moscow, Kremlin revealed on August 30. Lukashenko, who has been surrounded by controversies ever since Presidential elections took place in Belarus, h previously asked for Putin’s support to control unrest in his nation. Complying to his request Putin h, on August 26, vowed military support to embattled leer.

"It was agreed to hold a meeting in Moscow in coming weeks,” Kremlin said in a statement.  According to international media reports, two leers haven't met since anti-government protests began earlier this month. However, in a phone call me on August 30, two leers agreed on strengthing “bilateral ties” and expanding cooperation in various fields.

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Unrest in Belarus

Lukashenko on August 10 secured a record sixth term as country's president after authorities anunced preliminary results in which 65-year-old former Soviet Army member allegedly secured over 80 percent of total votes polled. Opposition leers, including main challenger Svetlana Tikhavskaya, deunced result, calling it a rigged election.

Svetlana Tikhavskaya fled country for Lithuania on August 11, fearing that she or her family could be harmed. 37-year-old leer has been issuing video statements from Lithuania, demanding Belarusian authorities to accept ir wrongdoings and to join hands with opposition in order to eve punishment in future.  European Union and United States have also expressed concerns over recent developments in Belarus and have called on Lukashenko to respect rights of Belarusian people.

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Meanwhile, Putin on August 27 reportedly vowed military support for embattled Belarusian leer Lukashenko. While Putin’s remarks were strongest signal that Russia is prepared to use force if needed in Belarus, it was also ted that military won’t be deployed unless unrest re spun out of control. 

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