This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/russia/499434-russia-reserved-belarus-protests-putin/

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
‘An internal issue’: Russia’s shown ‘much more restraint’ in its response to events in Belarus than Europe & US - Putin ‘An internal issue’: Russia’s shown ‘much more restraint’ in its response to events in Belarus than Europe & US, says Putin
(about 5 hours later)
Russia is closely following events in Belarus, gripped by post-election protests, but while doing so it’s shown much more prudence than the West, President Vladimir Putin said, firing back at the claims of Moscow’s meddling. Russia is closely following events in Belarus, which is gripped by post-election protests, but it’s shown much more prudence than the West in doing so, President Vladimir Putin said, firing back at claims of meddling by Moscow.
“We believe this is, first and foremost, an internal matter of the Belarusian society and the people of Belarus,” Putin told the ‘Rossiya 1’ channel in an interview aired on Saturday, speaking about mass protests in Belarus that have rumbled on weeks after a landslide victory of incumbent Alexander Lukashenko in the August 9 presidential elections prompted accusations of electoral fraud from the opposition. “We believe this is, first and foremost, an internal matter of the Belarusian society and the people of Belarus,” Putin told the Russia-1 TV channel in an interview aired on Saturday, in which he spoke about mass protests in Belarus that have rumbled on for weeks after a landslide victory for incumbent Alexander Lukashenko. The outcome of the August 9 presidential elections has prompted accusations of electoral fraud from the opposition.
After the protests broke out, some European leaders called on Moscow not to interfere into Belarus amid media speculations that Russia would be sending or have already dispatched military to the country. Both Minsk and the Kremlin have rubbished the claims. After the protests broke out, some European leaders called on Moscow not to interfere in Belarus amid media speculation that Russia would be sending or has already dispatched military to the country. Both Minsk and the Kremlin have rubbished the claims.
On the other hand, the EU, which, unlike Moscow, refused to recognize the election, has agreed this week to slap sanctions on about 20 Belarusian officials it deems responsible for the post-election crackdown. Poland and the Czech Republic went a step further and called for a new election to be held. On the other hand, the EU, which, unlike Moscow, refused to recognize the election, has agreed this week to slap sanctions on about 20 Belarusian officials whom it deems responsible for the post-election crackdown. Poland and the Czech Republic went a step further and called for a new election to be held.
Likewise, the US has already signalled its support to the face of Belarussian opposition, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. On Monday, the exiled former presidential candidate met with US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun to discuss “strengthening democracy and human rights in the country” in Vilnius, Lithuania.  Likewise, the US has already signaled its support for the face of Belarusian opposition, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. On Monday, the exiled former presidential candidate met with US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun to discuss “strengthening democracy and human rights in the country” in Vilnius, Lithuania. 
“We are acting in a much more restrained and unbiased way than many other nations in Europe and America, including the US, as far as the events in Belarus are concerned,” Putin said, adding that Russia still keeps close tabs on Belarus, since it is “probably, the closest country to Russia ethnically, culturally and spiritually.”  “We are acting in a much more restrained and unbiased way than many other nations in Europe and America, including the US, as far as the events in Belarus are concerned,” Putin said, adding that Russia still keeps close tabs on Belarus, since it is “probably the closest country to Russia ethnically, culturally and spiritually.” 
Russia and Belarus have been part of the group called the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a collection of six former Soviet countries who pledged to provide “necessary assistance, including military one" to each other "in case of an act of aggression.” Putin clarified, however, that Lukashenko asked him to have a group of law enforcement officers on standby rather than military if the situation escalates into unbridled violence. Russia and Belarus have been part of a group called the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a collection of six former Soviet countries that pledged to provide “necessary assistance, including military" to each other "in case of an act of aggression.” Putin clarified, however, that Lukashenko has asked him to have a group of law enforcement officers on standby rather than military if the situation escalates into unbridled violence.
The group has been formed, the Russian leader confirmed, saying Moscow expects the crisis to be resolved “peacefully” and all those who violated the law, be they police officers or protesters, be brought to justice. The group has been formed, the Russian leader confirmed, saying Moscow expects the crisis to be resolved “peacefully,” and all those who violated the law, be they police officers or protesters, will be brought to justice.
Outlining the circumstances that may call for Russia’s assistance, Putin said that Moscow would not involve itself in Belarus unless “extremist elements acting under the cover of political slogans cross certain red lines and engage in banditry, start burning houses and banks, try storming government buildings.”  Outlining the circumstances that may call for Russia’s assistance, Putin said that Moscow would not involve itself in Belarus unless “extremist elements acting under the cover of political slogans cross certain red lines and engage in banditry, start burning houses and banks, try storming government buildings.”  
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!