Belarus

Authorities said they believe the two people found in the river are migrants who attempted to illegally cross the border. Investigators are performing an autopsy to determine their identities and cause of death.

Lukashenko marked three decades in power last year and his political opponents have denounced the tightly orchestrated presidential election on 26 January as a farce.

Belarusian opposition leader told Euronews that although the protest movement in Belarus went mostly underground, people are preparing and “will be ready” to topple the regime at first opportunity. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya says “changes in Russia can start from changes in Belarus”.

The threat of Russia attacking EU and NATO states from the territory of Belarus should be taken very seriously, Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya told Euronews. She says that will depend on whether Ukraine’s interests are sacrificed now.

The move comes after US President Donald Trump tried to sign a rare earth minerals agreement with Ukraine.

Voting started following a period of almost non-existent election fever. In the capital Minsk, there’s an almost total absence of billboards promoting the candidates and there has been little in the way of campaigning.

Final votes are still being counted and the result isn’t expected to be released until later on Monday morning but state television predict Lukashenko winning with almost 88% of the vote.

Belarusians will vote on Sunday in a presidential election that is all but certain to see President Alexander Lukashenko win a seventh term.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said that protecting borders is a ‘sacred duty’, but humanitarian organisations have expressed concerns.