⁍ Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko spoke by phone with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday.
⁍ Lukashenko is facing the prospect of a national strike that could begin on Monday following an ultimatum set by opposition leaders.
⁍ Lukashenko has shown no sign he will heed the ultimatum and step down.
– Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko spoke by phone with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday, Reuters reports. No details of the call were immediately available. Lukashenko, who is holding on to power despite major protests in recent weeks calling for him to resign, is facing the prospect of a national strike that could begin on Monday following an ultimatum set by opposition leaders. Lukashenko has shown no sign he will heed the ultimatum and step down. Protests against his 26-year rule began following an Aug. 9 election victory his opponents say was rigged. Washington has imposed sanctions on Belarus officials following violent crackdowns at demonstrations in Minsk and across the country.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-election-usa/belarus-leader-lukashenko-us-secretary-of-state-pompeo-speak-on-phone-media-idUSKBN2790OA