“Belarus riot police detained scores of demonstrators at a protest rally against President Alexander Lukashenko. Rallies against Lukashenko's rule are rare in the tightly-policed ex-Soviet republic, but protest calls on social networking sites have multiplied in recent weeks as a severe currency crisis has brought economic hardship. Demonstrators gathered peacefully, simply applauding in a coordinated act of protest”. – Af.Reuters.com (Photo by Anton Motolko; Belarus, Minsk; June 22, 2011)

In this Sunday, September 6, 2020 file photo, people with their children stand at a barbed wire fence in front of a police line toward the Independence Palace, residence of the President Alexander Lukashenko, during Belarusian opposition supporters rally in Minsk, Belarus. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has relied on massive arrests and intimidation tactics to hold on to power despite nearly three months of protests sparked by his re-election to a sixth term, but continuing protests have cast an unprecedented challenge to his 26-year rule. (Photo by TUT.by via AP Photo)

A person holds a portrait of Alexander Lukashenko during an opposition rally in Independence Avenue in Minsk, Belarus on August 23, 2020. The political crisis continues in Belarus, which arose in connection with the presidential election held on August 9, the results of which are not recognized by the opposition. (Photo by Valery Sharifulin/TASS/Sipa USA)

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) reacts as he talks to Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko before a meeting on resolving the Ukrainian crisis in Minsk, February 11, 2015. A document seen by Reuters at talks on the Ukraine crisis suggested the sides may agree to end fighting in eastern Ukraine with a ceasefire starting on February 14, the withdrawal of heavy weapons and the creation of a security zone. (Photo by Mykola Lazarenko/Reuters)

Protesters carry a giant old Belarusian national flag during a Belarusian opposition supporters' rally protesting the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, September 13, 2020. Belarusians have been demonstrating against the disputed re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko for a month, with more than 100,000 people flooding the streets of Minsk for four straight weekends. (Photo by TUT.by via AP Photo)

A woman walks past the barbed wire separating Belarusian servicemen and Belarusian opposition supporters during a rally in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, August 30, 2020. Tens of thousands of demonstrators have gathered in the capital of Belarus, beginning the fourth week of daily protests demanding that the country's authoritarian president resign. The protests began after an Aug. 9 presidential election that protesters say was rigged and officials say gave President Alexander Lukashenko a sixth term in office. (Photo by Tut.By via AP Photo)

Belarusian police officers detain an opposition supporter during a rally to protest against the disputed August 9 presidential elections results in Minsk on September 6, 2020. Tens of thousands of Belarusians staged a peaceful new march on September 6, keeping the pressure on strongman Alexander Lukashenko who has refused to quit after his disputed re-election and turned to Russia for help to stay in power. (Photo by TUT.BY/AFP Photo)

A Belarusian law enforcement officer approaches women, who react while sitting on the pavement during a rally of opposition supporters following the presidential election in Minsk, Belarus on August 10, 2020. Belarusian police clashed with protesters on Monday after the opposition accused President Alexander Lukashenko of rigging his re-election victory amid a chorus of criticism from Western leaders. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)