Lukashenko arrives in Russia on working visit
MINSK, 28 May (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko arrived in Russia on a working visit, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko is scheduled to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi on 28 May. Speaking in the parliament on 26 May, the Belarusian head of state outlined the agenda of the talks. The focus will be on the economy, joint projects in various sectors and response to the external pressure and sanctions policy.
Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin are set to discuss the next steps and the work of the two governments to develop integration within the framework of the Union State, to compare the notes on the most pressing issues of bilateral cooperation, and to exchange views on international issues.
It has already been ascertained that several messages about “a bomb” planted on the aircraft were sent through the Swiss anonymous mail service ProtonMail (at 12:25 and 12:56). Records of the talks with the aircraft pilots are being examined and analyzed in detail. Other multiple investigative actions are being taken as well.
Belarus counts on Russia s support against Western pressure
MINSK, 27 May (BelTA) – Belarus counts on Russia s support in conditions of the increased pressure from the West. Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko made the statement as he met with Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Mishustin, BelTA has learned.
Roman Golovchenko said: “Events of the last few days indicate growing pressure of Western countries on Belarus. Contrary to international rules and norms and despite Belarus immediately expressed readiness for an unbiased and full investigation of the international incident with the landing of the Ryanair aircraft in the Minsk National Airport, restrictions on flights of [the Belarusian air carrier] Belavia to European countries were introduced immediately and recommendations were given for European air carriers to avoid flights via Belarus. An outrageous thing happened to [Belavia s] Minsk-Barcelona flight yesterday: information was received that France s air space w
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Roman Protasevich is a vocal critic of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
Protasevich s activism against his country s tyranny dates back to 2011, when he was 16 years old.
The dramatic arrest of Belarusian dissident Roman Protasevich drew international interest this week, when Belarusian authorities took the 26-year-old journalist into custody after grounding his Lithuania-bound Ryanair flight.
Protasevich and his girlfriend, Sofia Sapega, were aboard flight FR4978 from Athens to Lithuania before pilots were alerted of a bogus security threat and ordered to land in Minsk. Belarusian state media reported it was Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko who gave an unequivocal order to ground the passenger jet in Minsk.