Russian, Belarusian presidents discuss situation in Belarus over phone

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko held a second weekend phone conversation on Sunday to discuss the situation in Belarus following the recent presidential elections there.

The Russian side reaffirmed its readiness to provide necessary assistance to Belarus and, if necessary, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Kremlin said in a brief press release.

The two leaders also considered external pressure on Belarus, it said.

This was the second phone conversation between Putin and Lukashenko over the weekend as Belarus is mired in nationwide opposition protests following the presidential elections on Aug. 9.

During Saturday's phone call, the Kremlin said it was imperative to prevent restive forces in Belarus from harming the mutually beneficial relations of the two countries.