MOSCOW, August 18.
/TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the situation in Belarus
with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a telephone conversation initiated by
Berlin, the Kremlin press service said in a statement on Tuesday.
"The parties thoroughly
discussed the situation in Belarus following the presidential election,"
the statement reads. "Russia pointed out that foreign attempts to
interfere in the country’s domestic affairs were unacceptable and could further
escalate tensions," the Kremlin press service added.
"Hope was
expressed that the situation would improve as soon as possible," the
statement runs.
The German
chancellor, in her turn, stressed that the Belarusian authorities must give up
the use of force against peaceful demonstrators, the German Cabinet of
Ministers’ Spokesman Steffen Seibert informed. "The chancellor said the
Belarusian government must refrain from the use of force against peaceful
demonstrators, immediately release political prisoners and enter into a national
dialogue with the opposition and society to overcome the crisis."
Belarus has seen mass
protests following the announcement of the election returns. During the first
days there were clashes with the police. According to the Interior Ministry,
more than 6,000 were detained. Several dozen police and demonstrators were
injured. According to the Central Election Commission, Alexander Lukashenko
emerged the winner with 80.1% of the votes. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, described
as his main rival, received 10.12%.
Source: ITAR-TASS
18-08-2020
