LeeAnne LowryDaily protests in Belarus have entered their sixth week, and protesters are showing no signs of backing down on their demand that President Alexander Lukashenko resign.
Protesters say the country's August presidential election was rigged. Lukashenko has served as leader of the eastern European nation for the last 26 years.
Over 100,000 people turned out on Sunday — a size that has become typical of the country's marches. Police — both in uniform and plain clothes — violently detained 250 demonstrators. Reuters reports that protesters were pulled from the crowd and beaten.
Often called "Europe's Last Dictator," Lukashenko regularly represses those who speak against him. The 66-year-old strongman has even warned protesters that there would be no new elections QUOTE "until you kill me."
Russian President Vladamir Putin has agreed to send a police force to support Lukashenko.
Russia and Belarus have a close alliance, though Lukashenko has said he's worried Russia wants to absorb Belarus.
A Washington Post analysis says his power hinges on three questions:
How much violence is he willing to use to keep control?
How much staying power do the protesters have?
And can Lukashenko depend on help from Moscow?
The leaders are having their first face-to-face meeting on Monday since the unrest started.
