More than 1,000 opposition demonstrators are rallying in Belarus to protest closer integration with Russia.
Saturday’s protest in the Belarusian capital comes as Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi on Russia's Black Sea coast.
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More than 1,000 opposition demonstrators are rallying in Belarus to protest closer integration with Russia.
The Kremlin has cranked up pressure on Belarus, raising energy prices and cutting subsidies, but Lukashenko vowed not to surrender Belarus’ post-Soviet independence.
Belarusians take part in the "Living Chain" action in support of the country's independence in downtown Minsk, Belarus, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. Several hundreds demonstrators gathered to protest against closer integration with Russia. (AP PhotoSergei Grits)
Protesters argue with pro-government people dressed in black, right, during a rally in downtown Minsk, Belarus, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. Several hundreds demonstrators gathered to protest against closer integration with Russia. (AP PhotoSergei Grits)
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks to former and new-elected members of the National Assembly of Belarus during their meeting in Minsk, Belarus, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. Lukashenko told Belarus' parliament on Thursday that he wouldn't sign any documents that could harm the ex-Soviet republic's interests and added that any union with Russia would be formed on equal terms. (Nikolai PetrovBelTA Pool Photo via AP)
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks to former and new-elected members of the National Assembly of Belarus during their meeting in Minsk, Belarus, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. Lukashenko told Belarus' parliament on Thursday that he wouldn't sign any documents that could harm the ex-Soviet republic's interests and added that any union with Russia would be formed on equal terms. (Nikolai PetrovBelTA Pool Photo via AP)
The two presidents are discussing economic agreements intended to bring the two ex-Soviet neighbors and allies even closer. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist for more than a quarter-century, relies on cheap Russian energy and loans to maintain a Soviet-style economy.
CAPTION CORRECTS PRO GOVERNMENT PEOPLE TO PLAIN CLOTHED POLICE Protesters argue with plain clothed police, during a rally in downtown Minsk, Belarus, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. Several hundreds demonstrators gathered to protest against closer integration with Russia. (AP PhotoSergei Grits)
The Kremlin has cranked up pressure on Belarus, raising energy prices and cutting subsidies, but Lukashenko vowed not to surrender Belarus’ post-Soviet independence.
Some in Belarus fear that the agreements could pave the way for afull merger — concerns fueled by Russia’s 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea.
Protesters hold a historical Belarusian flag during a rally in downtown Minsk, Belarus, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. Several hundreds demonstrators gathered to protest against closer integration with Russia. (AP PhotoSergei Grits)
Belarusians take part in the "Living Chain" action in support of the country's independence in downtown Minsk, Belarus, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. Several hundreds demonstrators gathered to protest against closer integration with Russia. (AP PhotoSergei Grits)
Protesters argue with pro-government people dressed in black, right, during a rally in downtown Minsk, Belarus, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. Several hundreds demonstrators gathered to protest against closer integration with Russia. (AP PhotoSergei Grits)
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks to former and new-elected members of the National Assembly of Belarus during their meeting in Minsk, Belarus, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. Lukashenko told Belarus' parliament on Thursday that he wouldn't sign any documents that could harm the ex-Soviet republic's interests and added that any union with Russia would be formed on equal terms. (Nikolai PetrovBelTA Pool Photo via AP)
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks to former and new-elected members of the National Assembly of Belarus during their meeting in Minsk, Belarus, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. Lukashenko told Belarus' parliament on Thursday that he wouldn't sign any documents that could harm the ex-Soviet republic's interests and added that any union with Russia would be formed on equal terms. (Nikolai PetrovBelTA Pool Photo via AP)