Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said "there is no destabilisation in our country," adding that, "if it hadn’t been for the external pressure, we would not have had anything at all," during an interview with representatives from Russia's media channels in Minsk on Tuesday.

Lukashenko also said that he refuses to talk with Coordination Council members as "presidents don’t negotiate with just anyone. At this point, I don’t know who I’m supposed to negotiate with. If by the opposition you mean the people who put forward those two programs, there is nothing for me to talk with them about."

The Belarusian leader pondered if he had "overstayed" his welcome a little, and if "some part of the people have grown particularly tired of it."

During the interview, the president also explained riot police’s actions during the protests, saying that they didn’t break the law but "saved the country from the blitzkrieg."

Lukashenko said there were "39 or 40" riot police officers in hospital with broken bones and backs.

"And what these guys have suffered for? For saving the country and restoring order? I guess it’s too early to draw conclusions as I describe them now, but it hurts me. I can’t condemn the guys who defended - that’s how I see it, not just the country, but me as well," Lukashenko concluded.

Lukashenko admitted he was "leaning towards the idea of having an early presidential vote."

Belarus has been swept by anti-government protests following the disputed presidential election that saw incumbent president Aleksander Lukashenko re-elected for a sixth term.

On August 19 the European Union announced sanctions against "a substantial number of individuals responsible for violence, repression, and election fraud" in Belarus.