MOSCOW (RUSSIA) – Alexander Lukashenko flew to Russia on Monday to urge Vladimir Putin for support, with mass demonstrations continuing to be intense.
Belarusian state media showed Lukashenko alight from his plane in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, where Putin often meets visiting dignitaries.
Lukashenko, in power for 26 years, has defined the protests as a Western plot and has sought Moscow’s help, urging economic support and potentially military aid.
Thousands of people have been arrested and almost all the prominent leaders of the opposition have either been jailed, deported or forced into exile.
Police said they detained 774 people at Sunday’s protests.
The opposition says it fears Lukashenko could try to exchange Belarusian independence in return for Putin’s support.
She wrote on social media site Telegram,”I want to remind Vladimir Putin: whatever you accept and whatever you agree upon during the meeting in Sochi will have no legal weight.”
“All the agreements signed with an illegitimate Lukashenko will be revised by the new leadership. Because the Belarusian people have refused to put their trust in Lukashenko and support him at the election. I am very sorry that you have decided to engage in dialogue with a dictator and not the Belarusian people.”
Lukashenko has been a prickly ally of Russia in the past. However, the actions of Kremlin actions so far indicate that Putin has no plans to see the leader.