Russian President Vladimir Putin told Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko in a phone call on Sunday that Moscow stood ready to provide help under a collective military pact if necessary, Reuters report said quoting the Kremlin statement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko in a phone call on Sunday that Moscow stood ready to provide help under a collective military pact if necessary, Reuters report said quoting the Kremlin statement. The Kremlin said in the same statement that external pressure was being applied to Belarus. It did not say by whom, the report added. Also read: Putin has agreed to help security of Belarus, says Lukashenko Belarus has been rocked by a week of street protests after protesters accused Lukashenko of rigging a presidential election last Sunday. Ties between the two traditional allies had been under strain in the run up to the election, as Russia scaled back the subsidies that propped up Lukashenko's government. Russia sees Belarus as a strategic buffer against NATO and the Europeamn Union. Also read: Belarus leader Lukashenko talks to Russian President Putin, discusses protests Accused of rigging last Sunday's election, Lukashenko had earlier appealed to Putin for help as he grapples with the biggest challenge to his 26-year rule and the threat of new Western sanctions. Meanwhile, Lukashenko on Sunday spoke in front of a crowd of supporters at a rally in central Minsk asking them to defend the country and its independence. The strongman is facing the greatest challenge to his leadership from a growing protest movement fanned by a brutal police crackdown. "I'm not a fan of rallies but alas, it's not my fault I had to call you to help me," the 65-year-old said as some 10,000 supporters waved national flags and shouted "Thank you!" and "Belarus!"

'Russia ready to help militarily if necessary': Putin tells Belarusian leader Lukashenko

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'Russia ready to help militarily if necessary': Putin tells Belarusian leader Lukashenko