What Belarus's neighbours and rivals were saying by 19 August 2020
A look back at the diplomatic and political positions taken in the days before 19 August 2020, as protests in Belarus continued.
What was the picture on 19 August 2020, as Belarus's disputed presidential election remained at the centre of regional attention? The reports from the preceding days show a standoff hardening on several fronts.
On 15 August, President Alexander Lukashenko appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the protests were no longer a threat to Belarus alone. Statements from both sides contained a pointed reference to the Union State between the two countries. The same day, opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who was in exile in Lithuania, called for more protests.
On 16 August, Lukashenko spoke to supporters in Independence Square in Minsk. He claimed that Belarus would "die as a state" if new elections were held and accused NATO of "massing on the border". Opposition critics said most of those at the rally had been coerced into attending and bussed in from other parts of the country.
On 18 August, Lithuanian MPs approved economic sanctions against Belarus over the contested election. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius said Lithuania was "sending a strong message to the world", and he said Lithuania refused to recognise Lukashenko as president.
