Lukashenko invites Biden and Putin to Belarus to discuss 'problems'
(VOVWORLD) - Belarus's authoritarian leader has suggested that his counterparts in Russia and the US meet him in Minsk to discuss "all the problems" unfolding between their countries.
Speaking before lawmakers in parliament on Wednesday, President Alexander Lukashenko said US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin should travel to Belarus for "an honest discussion".
Lukashenko's comments come amid international outcry after a Ryan air flight was forced to divert to Minsk over the weekend, leading to journalist Roman Protasevich's arrest.
During his address, the Belarusian president further maintained that his government had only sought to protect people in Sunday's flight diversion, which the US, European Union and UK have all denounced. He also accused the West of waging a "hybrid war" against him.