Belarus protests | What will (or won't) Russia do?

Russia has created a reserve of law enforcement officers to help Belarus in case the situation gets “out of control,” according to President Vladimir Putin, who said it was requested by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.

Speaking to Russian TV, Putin explained that he agreed to help Lukashenko, but only in the event of an extreme situation. “Mr Lukashenko has asked me to form a backup law enforcement unit, and I have done so. However, we also agreed that it won’t be used unless the situation gets out of control,” the president said.

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This could involve “extremist elements, hiding behind political slogans, [crossing] certain lines,” such as setting fire to cars, houses, and banks, or trying to seize administrative buildings.

“There is no need to use Russian forces in Belarus yet, and I hope there never will be,” Putin said.

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