In support of his ally Lukashenko .. Putin intends to send security forces to Belarus, and the opposition refuses

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed Thursday his readiness to deploy troops in Belarus in the event that the situation worsens further after the presidential elections, calling on the parties to find a solution through negotiation.

The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, who has been facing unprecedented protests for three weeks, confirmed that he had received a promise from Moscow to "help" to maintain the country's security.

In an interview with "Russia 24" channel, Putin said that Russia is ready to intervene in Belarus if the need arises within the framework of existing security and military agreements.

He announced that Alexander Lukashenko had asked him to allocate reserves from the security forces and that he had done so, adding that he hoped he would not have to use them.

He added, "We agreed not to use the reserves of the forces before the situation gets out of control, and for extremist elements to cross some limits, such as setting cars, homes and banks on fire, and trying to control administrative buildings."

Putin called on "all parties to this process to find a solution" to the crisis.

Rejection of the Russian intervention,
and the opposition described the formation of the reserves as "unacceptable and contrary to international law."

The opposition asserts that it wants to hold a dialogue with Lukashenko and is also demanding his departure, while the president rejects any negotiation and is content with talking about a draft revision of the constitution.

The statements also received a quick response from Poland, a member of NATO, and a neighbor of Belarus, which demanded that Russia abandon its plans to intervene militarily "under false pretenses."

For his part, the Secretary-General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, called on Moscow to "not intervene" in Belarus.

The former Soviet republic descended into chaos after the election, which the opposition says was rigged to secure an extension of Lukashenko's 26-year rule.

Security forces have beaten protesters in the streets and arrested thousands in an attempt to quell the mass demonstrations and strikes.

Lukashenko denies election fraud, but the protesters consider that the opposition, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who sought refuge in Lithuania, is the winner.