٠٠:٠٧:٥١Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko held an interview with representatives of Russia's media channels in Minsk on Tuesday, as seen in an interview teaser.
Lukashenko discussed the disappearance of the opposition Coordination Council member Maria Kolesnikova, stating that Kolesnikova had attempted to cross the Belarusian border into Ukraine with two other men. He said that she and her group were detained on the Ukrainian side of the frontier.
“[They passed] across the border, through the Ukrainian border guard office; as far as I am now informed, they were detained. And we are negotiating with them to get them back to us,” Lukashenko added.
Meanwhile, Kolosnikova's associate Pavel Latushko has said that Kolesnikova was forced to leave Belarus, adding that she tore up her passport at the border. Media reports say she was attempting to avoid deportation from her home country. An opposition representative and media reports say she had initially been kidnapped in Minsk.
Commenting on the unrest in the wake of the contested 2020 presidential election, the Belarusian president said he would not allow the destruction of what was built in the country during the years of his presidency, even after he left office.
“One day I will leave, maybe, but I will not allow them to destroy what we created with the people, with these generations, I will not allow that,” he stated.
Lukashenko warned the Russian leadership of what he described as upcoming "political events" in Russia, saying “stay alert” … “if Belarus collapses today, Russia will be next."
Belarus has been swept by anti-government protests following the disputed presidential election that saw incumbent President Lukashenko re-elected for a sixth term.
Belarus: Lukashenko discusses ongoing unrest with Russian journalists *TEASER*
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko held an interview with representatives of Russia's media channels in Minsk on Tuesday, as seen in an interview teaser.
Lukashenko discussed the disappearance of the opposition Coordination Council member Maria Kolesnikova, stating that Kolesnikova had attempted to cross the Belarusian border into Ukraine with two other men. He said that she and her group were detained on the Ukrainian side of the frontier.
“[They passed] across the border, through the Ukrainian border guard office; as far as I am now informed, they were detained. And we are negotiating with them to get them back to us,” Lukashenko added.
Meanwhile, Kolosnikova's associate Pavel Latushko has said that Kolesnikova was forced to leave Belarus, adding that she tore up her passport at the border. Media reports say she was attempting to avoid deportation from her home country. An opposition representative and media reports say she had initially been kidnapped in Minsk.
Commenting on the unrest in the wake of the contested 2020 presidential election, the Belarusian president said he would not allow the destruction of what was built in the country during the years of his presidency, even after he left office.
“One day I will leave, maybe, but I will not allow them to destroy what we created with the people, with these generations, I will not allow that,” he stated.
Lukashenko warned the Russian leadership of what he described as upcoming "political events" in Russia, saying “stay alert” … “if Belarus collapses today, Russia will be next."
Belarus has been swept by anti-government protests following the disputed presidential election that saw incumbent President Lukashenko re-elected for a sixth term.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko held an interview with representatives of Russia's media channels in Minsk on Tuesday, as seen in an interview teaser.
Lukashenko discussed the disappearance of the opposition Coordination Council member Maria Kolesnikova, stating that Kolesnikova had attempted to cross the Belarusian border into Ukraine with two other men. He said that she and her group were detained on the Ukrainian side of the frontier.
“[They passed] across the border, through the Ukrainian border guard office; as far as I am now informed, they were detained. And we are negotiating with them to get them back to us,” Lukashenko added.
Meanwhile, Kolosnikova's associate Pavel Latushko has said that Kolesnikova was forced to leave Belarus, adding that she tore up her passport at the border. Media reports say she was attempting to avoid deportation from her home country. An opposition representative and media reports say she had initially been kidnapped in Minsk.
Commenting on the unrest in the wake of the contested 2020 presidential election, the Belarusian president said he would not allow the destruction of what was built in the country during the years of his presidency, even after he left office.
“One day I will leave, maybe, but I will not allow them to destroy what we created with the people, with these generations, I will not allow that,” he stated.
Lukashenko warned the Russian leadership of what he described as upcoming "political events" in Russia, saying “stay alert” … “if Belarus collapses today, Russia will be next."
Belarus has been swept by anti-government protests following the disputed presidential election that saw incumbent President Lukashenko re-elected for a sixth term.