Russian Foreign Ministry says the West is trying to sway the situation in Belarus during the elections

Western countries interfered in the presidential election in Belarus and tried to sway the situation in the republic with the help of unsubstantiated "throw-ins". This was stated by the Russian Foreign Ministry on January 27.

"Such throw-ins are another manifestation of "double standards" of the "collective West" and attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign state, aimed at swaying the situation in the republic," reads the website of the Ministry.

The Russian side condemns the biased statements and agrees with the CEC of Belarus that one can't take seriously the comments of persons who did not participate in the observation of the vote, emphasized the Foreign Ministry. It is noted that such a thing would contradict professional ethics and common sense.

In turn, Moscow welcomes the successful holding of the next presidential elections in Belarus and respects the sovereign expression of the will of the country's citizens, the Ministry said.

At the same time, the Foreign Ministry is determined to continue friendly interaction with the Belarusian colleagues, as well as mutual support and coordination in the international arena.

No doubt without a ballot: Belarusians again cast their votes for Alexander Lukashenko

How the voting took place and who tried to destabilize the situation in the republic

Earlier in the day, chairman of the Central Election Commission of Belarus Igor Karpenko reported that the incumbent head of state Alexander Lukashenko had won the presidential election with 86.82% of the vote. At the same time, there were no complaints of any violations from citizens and observers.

Polling stations for the main voting in the presidential election in Belarus worked throughout the country on January 26. After the turnout reached 56.64% at 12:00, the election was recognized valid. The voter turnout amounted to 85.7%.

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the Belarusian leader on his re-election. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow noted a good and transparent organization of the voting procedure and considered the elections in Belarus absolutely legitimate.