Belarusian President Calls for Help from Putin

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has reached out to Russia for assistance on Saturday. This appeal comes amid a wave of unrest demanding his resignation following controversial presidential elections.

Lukashenko's 26-year rule is under threat from thousands of protesters, who have been rallying for several days, often clashing with police, with the single aim of calling for his resignation, stating that the elections were marred by widespread violations and violations of the law.

The embattled Lukashenko claims that this wave of unrest could spread beyond Belarus's borders and believes it should also concern Russia. Details of the phone conversation between Lukashenko and Putin have yet to be disclosed. Prior to the call, Lukashenko stated that "this threat does not only endanger Belarus."

Meanwhile, opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who fled to Lithuania after the elections, has called for new protest demonstrations to demand a recount of votes.

Russia views Belarus as a strategic buffer against NATO and the European Union. However, relations between Moscow and Minsk had soured before the elections when Lukashenko rejected Putin's proposal to create a political and economic union with Russia.

Multiple analysts suggest that the illegitimacy resulting from the elections, which saw widespread violations, could force Belarus to make concessions in its relationship with Russia.

In other reports, the United States has declared that it does not recognize the results of the Belarusian presidential elections.