Belarusian Leader Says He Asked Putin for Weapons

Russia's President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko during a meeting in Sochi, Russia, on Sept. 14, 2020. Russian Presidential Executive Office/Handout via Reuters

MOSCOW—Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said on Wednesday he had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply Belarus with weapons as he faces mass protests over a disputed election.

Speaking to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during talks in Minsk, Lukashenko said: “I also asked the president of Russia for several new types of weapons.”