Belarus protests: Vladimir Putin doubles down on support for Alexander Lukashenko with US$1.5 billion loan
- Talks took place one day after tens of thousands rallied against Lukashenko in the Belarusian capital for the fifth Sunday in a row
- The opposition wants Lukashenko to begin talks on handing over power but he has ruled out any compromise with protesters
A subdued-looking Lukashenko thanked Putin for his support.
“These events have shown that we need to stick closer to our elder brother,” he said, at their first face-to-face meeting since the political crisis began.
The Belarusian currency has come under pressure amid the crisis, declining more than 8 per cent in the past three months. At “this difficult moment” for Belarus, Russia will provide the US$1.5 billion in credit and “I hope this will have an appropriate impact on the financial markets,” Putin said.
The talks in Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi took place one day after tens of thousands rallied against Lukashenko in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, for the fifth Sunday in a row, defying riot police and masked men without insignia who tried violently to break up protests. Police detained 774 people, the Interior Ministry said on Monday.
Putin is determined that protesters won’t topple Lukashenko, who’s ruled for 26 years, even as Moscow doesn’t trust him and will encourage steps toward an eventual succession, five people close to the Kremlin said, asking not to be identified discussing internal policy.
In a phone call with Putin on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron underscored the need for a political solution in Belarus “without external interference,” the Elysee said in a statement. Putin confirmed Russia’s opposition to any foreign meddling in Belarus, according to a Kremlin statement.