As Europe continued its&nbsp;crackdown on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarus-imposes-trade-barriers-on-ukraine-amid-plane-row-388073">Belarus</a>&nbsp;on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed close ties with the country during his talks with Lukashenko.

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Putin met the isolated Belarus leader at Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi as the two leaders looked to "compare notes over the most pressing issues.

Lukashenko told Putin that the West was attempting to "rock the boat" after the EU lashed out at the Belarus regime over the forced diversion of a plane and the arrest of a dissident journalist Roman Protasevich.

"An attempt is underway to rock the boat to reach the level of last August," Lukashenko told Putin.

As talks progressed in Sochi, the Belarus opposition said it will hold a nationwide strike even as several nations imposed air restrictions on the country.

US and EU had already imposed sanctions on Belarus over the violent crackdown on protesters by Lukashenko after a disputed election last year.

Opposition forces led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya who is currently living in exile said that "protests will continue and workers are being prepared for a nationwide strike."

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov that Belarus government's air travel row with Europe was "technical" in nature

"The aviation authorities work hard these days and the situation is extraordinary," the Kremlin said," adding,"But if they have arisen because of the European Union decisions and companies that have listened to Brussels' recommendations, then technical hiccups are inevitable. But we are working hard to eliminate them."

(With Agency inputs)

As Europe continued its crackdown on Belarus on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed close ties with the country during his talks with Lukashenko. Watch: Putin met the isolated Belarus leader at Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi as the two leaders looked to "compare notes over the most pressing issues.

As Europe continued its crackdown on Belarus on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed close ties with the country during his talks with Lukashenko. Watch: Putin met the isolated Belarus leader at Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi as the two leaders looked to "compare notes over the most pressing issues. Lukashenko told Putin that the West was attempting to "rock the boat" after the EU lashed out at the Belarus regime over the forced diversion of a plane and the arrest of a dissident journalist Roman Protasevich. "An attempt is underway to rock the boat to reach the level of last August," Lukashenko told Putin. As talks progressed in Sochi, the Belarus opposition said it will hold a nationwide strike even as several nations imposed air restrictions on the country. US and EU had already imposed sanctions on Belarus over the violent crackdown on protesters by Lukashenko after a disputed election last year. Opposition forces led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya who is currently living in exile said that "protests will continue and workers are being prepared for a nationwide strike." Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov that Belarus government's air travel row with Europe was "technical" in nature "The aviation authorities work hard these days and the situation is extraordinary," the Kremlin said," adding,"But if they have arisen because of the European Union decisions and companies that have listened to Brussels' recommendations, then technical hiccups are inevitable. But we are working hard to eliminate them." (With Agency inputs)

Attempt underway to rock the boat, Lukashenko tells Putin at Sochi meet

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Belarus on Sunday as they sought to keep the pressure on President Alexander Lukashenko over his contested re-election.

In the capital Minsk, Lukashenko's critics staged a number of scattered protests across the city, with some groups numbering a few dozen participants and others a few hundred.

The Viasna rights group said more than 30 people were detained in Minsk and other cities.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarus-thousands-of-protesters-march-demand-lukashenkos-resignation-347989">Belarus: Thousands of protesters march, demand Lukashenko's resignation</a>

Police with dogs patrolled the streets as authorities deployed troops and water cannon.

Since Lukashenko's disputed re-election to a sixth term in August, Belarus has been caught in its most serious political crisis in modern history, with protesters taking to the streets and authorities cracking down on the opposition.

For months tens of thousands of people staged a massive march through Minsk but protesters have over the past few weeks changed their tactics to avoid large-scale detentions by instead turning up for numerous smaller protests across town.

Lukashenko's opponents claim the polls were rigged and that political novice Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who ran in place of her jailed husband, was the true winner.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ioc-bans-belarus-president-lukashenko-from-olympic-games-348351">WATCH|</a>

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Tikhanovskaya, who is in exile in neighbouring Lithuania, praised all those who kept taking to the streets.

"The whole world sees the protest movement in Belarus," the 38-year-old said ahead of Sunday's rallies.&nbsp;

"Every new march does not allow the regime to lie that the protests are over."

From Sunday Belarus temporarily closed its land borders in a move authorities said was aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus but the opposition views as a further clampdown on dissent.

Belarus nationals and foreigners who hold temporary or permanent residency will not be able to leave the country via land border checkpoints starting Sunday.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Belarus on Sunday as they sought to keep the pressure on President Alexander Lukashenko over his contested re-election.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Belarus on Sunday as they sought to keep the pressure on President Alexander Lukashenko over his contested re-election. In the capital Minsk, Lukashenko's critics staged a number of scattered protests across the city, with some groups numbering a few dozen participants and others a few hundred. The Viasna rights group said more than 30 people were detained in Minsk and other cities. Also read| Belarus: Thousands of protesters march, demand Lukashenko's resignation Police with dogs patrolled the streets as authorities deployed troops and water cannon. Since Lukashenko's disputed re-election to a sixth term in August, Belarus has been caught in its most serious political crisis in modern history, with protesters taking to the streets and authorities cracking down on the opposition. For months tens of thousands of people staged a massive march through Minsk but protesters have over the past few weeks changed their tactics to avoid large-scale detentions by instead turning up for numerous smaller protests across town. Lukashenko's opponents claim the polls were rigged and that political novice Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who ran in place of her jailed husband, was the true winner. WATCH| × Tikhanovskaya, who is in exile in neighbouring Lithuania, praised all those who kept taking to the streets. "The whole world sees the protest movement in Belarus," the 38-year-old said ahead of Sunday's rallies. "Every new march does not allow the regime to lie that the protests are over." From Sunday Belarus temporarily closed its land borders in a move authorities said was aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus but the opposition views as a further clampdown on dissent. Belarus nationals and foreigners who hold temporary or permanent residency will not be able to leave the country via land border checkpoints starting Sunday.

Thousands in Belarus protest Lukashenko's rule

After <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-denies-lukashenko-recognition-as-belarus-president-329683">Lukashenko</a> was sworn in a secret ceremony as President, the US said it cannot consider him the "legitimate" leader of Belarus since the August 9 elections were "neither free nor fair".

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Protesters clashed with police as thousands took to the streets after Lukashenko's latest move. Lukashenko who has ruled Belarus for 26 years held his swearing-in ceremony unannounced after claiming a landslide victory in the polls.

Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya who had fled into exile after the election said that the secret inauguration was "an attempt to seize power".

Lukashenko said Belarus was "on the brink of a global crisis" while adding, "I cannot, I have no right to abandon the Belarusians," even as thousands of demonstrators carrying red-and-white opposition flags protested.&nbsp;

Reports said several people were injured as security officials fired water cannons with at last 10 people taken in custody as Lukashenko during the oath-taking ceremony said he would &nbsp;"faithfully serve the people of the Republic of Belarus, respect and protect the rights and freedoms of the person and of the citizen" and defend the constitution."

Germany backed the US decision and said it did not recognise Lukashenko as president and urged the EU to impose sanctions on the country which was agreed upon earlier.

Lithuanian foreign minister Linas Linkevicius said: "Such a farce. Forget elections...His illegitimacy is a fact with all the consequences that this entails."

However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the swearing-in was "absolutely the sovereign decision of the Belarusian leadership".&nbsp;

After Lukashenko was sworn in a secret ceremony as President, the US said it cannot consider him the "legitimate" leader of Belarus since the August 9 elections were "neither free nor fair".

After Lukashenko was sworn in a secret ceremony as President, the US said it cannot consider him the "legitimate" leader of Belarus since the August 9 elections were "neither free nor fair". Watch: Protesters clashed with police as thousands took to the streets after Lukashenko's latest move. Lukashenko who has ruled Belarus for 26 years held his swearing-in ceremony unannounced after claiming a landslide victory in the polls. Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya who had fled into exile after the election said that the secret inauguration was "an attempt to seize power". Lukashenko said Belarus was "on the brink of a global crisis" while adding, "I cannot, I have no right to abandon the Belarusians," even as thousands of demonstrators carrying red-and-white opposition flags protested. Reports said several people were injured as security officials fired water cannons with at last 10 people taken in custody as Lukashenko during the oath-taking ceremony said he would "faithfully serve the people of the Republic of Belarus, respect and protect the rights and freedoms of the person and of the citizen" and defend the constitution." Germany backed the US decision and said it did not recognise Lukashenko as president and urged the EU to impose sanctions on the country which was agreed upon earlier. Lithuanian foreign minister Linas Linkevicius said: "Such a farce. Forget elections...His illegitimacy is a fact with all the consequences that this entails." However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the swearing-in was "absolutely the sovereign decision of the Belarusian leadership".

Cannot consider Lukashenko legitimately elected leader of Belarus: US

President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus was sworn in for a new term on Wednesday, the official news agency Belta said, in a sudden inauguration conducted with no prior announcement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-dont-recognise-lukashenko-as-legitimate-president-european-union-328038">Also Read:&nbsp;We don't recognise Lukashenko as legitimate president, says&nbsp;European Union</a>

The ceremony, which would normally be publicised in advance as a major state occasion, follows a disputed election on August&nbsp;9 in which Lukashenko, in power since 1994, claimed a landslide victory. The opposition accused him of massive vote-rigging.

Earlier, more than 100,000 people marched through Minsk on Sunday on the sixth straight weekend of protests against President Alexander Lukashenko, keeping up the pressure on the veteran Belarusian leader to quit.

Many walked in a vast column that stretched back several kilometres, decked out in red-and-white opposition colours and chanting "go away" as helmeted riot police patrolled the streets with water canons on hand, a witness said.

Several protesters were dragged away from the crowd by security forces. In the city centre, riot police rhythmically beat their shields as a warning while several people threw glass bottles at them.

Videos shared by local media outlets showed security forces in helmets or masks hauling protesters off the streets in simultaneous protests in other cities.

The eastern European country was plunged into turmoil following a presidential election last month that Lukashenko says he won by a landslide, but the opposition says was rigged.

President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus was sworn in for a new term on Wednesday, the official news agency Belta said, in a sudden inauguration conducted with no prior announcement.

President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus was sworn in for a new term on Wednesday, the official news agency Belta said, in a sudden inauguration conducted with no prior announcement. Also Read: We don't recognise Lukashenko as legitimate president, says European Union The ceremony, which would normally be publicised in advance as a major state occasion, follows a disputed election on August 9 in which Lukashenko, in power since 1994, claimed a landslide victory. The opposition accused him of massive vote-rigging. Earlier, more than 100,000 people marched through Minsk on Sunday on the sixth straight weekend of protests against President Alexander Lukashenko, keeping up the pressure on the veteran Belarusian leader to quit. Many walked in a vast column that stretched back several kilometres, decked out in red-and-white opposition colours and chanting "go away" as helmeted riot police patrolled the streets with water canons on hand, a witness said. Several protesters were dragged away from the crowd by security forces. In the city centre, riot police rhythmically beat their shields as a warning while several people threw glass bottles at them. Videos shared by local media outlets showed security forces in helmets or masks hauling protesters off the streets in simultaneous protests in other cities. The eastern European country was plunged into turmoil following a presidential election last month that Lukashenko says he won by a landslide, but the opposition says was rigged.

Lukashenko secretly sworn in for new presidential term in Belarus: Report

Sporting icons in Belarus have signed an open letter condemning vote-rigging in polls claimed by President Alexander Lukashenko. These icons called for fresh elections.

Sporting icons in Belarus have signed an open letter condemning vote-rigging in polls claimed by President Alexander Lukashenko. These icons called for fresh elections. Also read: Women march through Belarusian capital calling for Lukashenko to step down According to the letter published on Tribuna.com, a sports website, athletes including Olympic medallists and members of national teams were among the 363 to sign to condemn rigged polls. The letter declared the August 9 presidential election in Belarus, that was won by Lukashenko, invalid due to vote-rigging. It called for fresh elections as per international standards. The letter also demanded an end to police violence and the release of all political prisoners. It also said that the signatories would show solidarity if any faced reprisals "right up to possible refusal to compete for the national team." Country's Olympic medallists signed, including gold-winning freestyle skier Anna Guskova, two-time silver-medallist swimmer Aleksandra Herasimenya and silver-winning rhythmic gymnast Anna Glazkova. Dynamo Minsk's footballer Igor Shitov also signed. The head coach of the national freestyle skiing team Nikolai Kozeko as well as members of current and former national teams in sports including volleyball, pentathlon and swimming. Commentators noted the absence of top stars including four-times Olympic biathlon champion Darya Domracheva, who has condemned violence in a message on Instagram, as well as competitors in Lukashenko's favourite sport: ice hockey. (Inputs from AFP)

From Olympic medalists to head coaches: Belarusian athletes sign letter condemning rigged polls

Amid the political crisis in Belarus, French President Emmanuel Macron has offered EU mediation along with Russia even as German Chancellor said Lukashenko "has not sought to contact" EU leaders.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/focus-on-your-own-issues-echoes-lukashenko-while-eu-convenes-to-discuss-belarus-crisis-321732">Also Read:&nbsp;'Focus on your own issues', echoes Lukashenko while EU convenes to discuss Belarus crisis</a>

On Thursday, Belarus opened criminal investigation into attempts by the Opposition to "seize power" as the situation in the country continues to go downhill after the August 9 election which was rejected by the Opposition demanding a new election.

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In a statement, Macron who is trying to find a solution, said: "A dialogue between the authorities, the opposition and civil society is essential... We hope that this dialogue can be established by the Belarusians themselves. But the European Union stands ready to accompany it, if our role of mediation can be useful and is desired by the Belarusians, with other institutions... and including Russia," Macron said as he met German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

EU Council chief Charles Michel said that had requested Russian President Vladimir Putin to resolve the crisis through talks.

"There is only one way forward: through political inclusive dialogue and a peaceful and democratic process," Michel said.

The European Union had earlier rejected the result of the presidential election alleging that there was widespread vote-rigging and suppression of protests in the country even as protesters marched through central Minsk and gathered in Independence Square demanding Lukashenko to leave.&nbsp;

Amid the peace moves by Macron, Lukashenko ordered his security services to clamp down on any more unrest. However, Belarus's foreign minister Vladimir Makei said that "change is needed" in the country.

"No one is denying that, but not at the cost of civil confrontation or a revolution," &nbsp;Makei said.

Amid the political crisis in Belarus, French President Emmanuel Macron has offered EU mediation along with Russia even as German Chancellor said Lukashenko "has not sought to contact" EU leaders.

Amid the political crisis in Belarus, French President Emmanuel Macron has offered EU mediation along with Russia even as German Chancellor said Lukashenko "has not sought to contact" EU leaders. Also Read: 'Focus on your own issues', echoes Lukashenko while EU convenes to discuss Belarus crisis On Thursday, Belarus opened criminal investigation into attempts by the Opposition to "seize power" as the situation in the country continues to go downhill after the August 9 election which was rejected by the Opposition demanding a new election. Watch: In a statement, Macron who is trying to find a solution, said: "A dialogue between the authorities, the opposition and civil society is essential... We hope that this dialogue can be established by the Belarusians themselves. But the European Union stands ready to accompany it, if our role of mediation can be useful and is desired by the Belarusians, with other institutions... and including Russia," Macron said as he met German Chancellor Angela Merkel. EU Council chief Charles Michel said that had requested Russian President Vladimir Putin to resolve the crisis through talks. "There is only one way forward: through political inclusive dialogue and a peaceful and democratic process," Michel said. The European Union had earlier rejected the result of the presidential election alleging that there was widespread vote-rigging and suppression of protests in the country even as protesters marched through central Minsk and gathered in Independence Square demanding Lukashenko to leave. Amid the peace moves by Macron, Lukashenko ordered his security services to clamp down on any more unrest. However, Belarus's foreign minister Vladimir Makei said that "change is needed" in the country. "No one is denying that, but not at the cost of civil confrontation or a revolution," Makei said.

Macron offers EU mediation with Russia on Belarus crisis

Lukashenko is under the biggest pressure of his 26-year-rule, with no sign of an end to the protests and strikes over the election

WION Dispatch: Political crisis deepens as protests continue | Belarus | World News