The close relationship between Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin has grown stronger over the years, and Belarus has become increasingly loyal to Russia, particularly since Moscow helped Lukashenko quell anti-government street protests in 2020. The country has agreed to host Russian tactical nuclear weapons, and Lukashenko has made statements that support Russia’s actions in Ukraine, including claiming that Crimea belongs to Russia.
Belarus has a mostly state-run economy and tightly controlled society, and Lukashenko has been in power for almost 30 years. His efforts to maintain sovereignty and his own power have led him to build closer ties with Russia, despite past tensions. The mass protests against Lukashenko were a significant event in Belarusian history. They began in August 2020, following the presidential election, in which Lukashenko claimed to have won with over 80% of the vote. The opposition and many international observers disputed the results, alleging widespread vote-rigging and electoral fraud.
The protests were met with a violent crackdown by the security forces, who arrested and detained thousands of demonstrators. There were widespread reports of police brutality, torture, and human rights abuses. Despite the crackdown, the protests continued for months, with demonstrators calling for Lukashenko’s resignation and fresh elections. The protests also drew international attention and condemnation, with many countries imposing sanctions on Belarusian officials and calling for an end to the violence. Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994, has close ties with Russia and has often been seen as a key ally of Moscow. However, during the protests, he accused Russia of sending mercenaries to Belarus to help quell the demonstrations. This caused tensions between the two countries, with Moscow denying the allegations and Lukashenko seeking to distance himself from his Russian allies.