Lukashenko sworn in for new term as president in Belarus amid protests

[IcyPeas]

2. russian officials are blaming U.S. interference.

He claimed victory in recent elections with around 80 percent of the vote, raising questions about legitimacy. Opposition leaders and protesters have also faced repression from Belarusian police and security forces, drawing condemnation from the State Department.

Russian officials, whose government is a close ally of Lukashenko, have accused U.S. agents in recent days of trying to foment revolution in the country that would oust the longtime leader.

“According to the SVR’s information, the United States is playing a key role in Belarus,” said the head of Russia's foreign intelligence service last week.

“Essentially we are talking about a poorly disguised attempt to organise another ‘colour revolution’ and an anti-constitutional coup, the goals and objectives of which have nothing to do with the interests of Belarusian citizens.”

(from same link as OP)