Putin Resolves to Back Belarus Ally, Wary of Protest Spread
- Lukashenko meets Putin for talks in Russia’s Sochi on Monday
- Mass protests go on against Lukashenko’s re-election claim
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Russian President Vladimir Putin is tightening his embrace of beleaguered ally Alexander Lukashenko as the Belarusian ruler ramps up violence against mass protests that show no sign of fading, with nearly 800 people detained on Sunday.
Putin, who hosts Lukashenko for talks in Sochi on Monday, is determined the Belarusian president won’t be toppled, after the Russian leadership was taken aback by the scale of the protests, said five people close to the Kremlin. While Moscow doesn’t trust Lukashenko, it can’t accept the opposition coming to power via street demonstrations and will back him while encouraging steps toward an eventual succession, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing internal policy.