Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko chairs a Security Council meeting in Minsk, Belarus, Aug 19, 2020. Authorities in Belarus on Wednesday resumed detentions of protesters who keep taking to the streets to demand the resignation of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, as opposition leaders ratchet up pressure on the government by forming a coordination council to push for for a new election. (ANDREI STASEVICH / BELTA POOL PHOTO VIA AP)

MINSK / BRUSSELS - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Wednesday that western leaders should focus on their own problems rather than the political situation in Belarus, state news agency BelTA reported.

Hundreds of Belarusian protesters gathered in Minsk on Wednesday evening, defying a new order from Lukashenko to his police to clear the streets of the capital

The remarks came as the European Union announced sanctions against Belarusian officials the bloc blames for election fraud and the abuse of protesters.

"They are having a great deal of problems at home. Do not point at Belarus in order to draw attention away from the issues in France, the United States, Germany and so on," Lukashenko said at a meeting of his national security council via video link.

READ MORE: Russia says outside forces trying to destabilise Belarus

When all these issues are dealt with, they could proceed to Belarus, but the matter should not be high on their agenda, the president added.

Hundreds of Belarusian protesters gathered in Minsk on Wednesday evening, defying a new order from Lukashenko to his police to clear the streets of the capital after a week and a half of rallies against his rule.

EU announces sanctions

Holding an emergency summit on the crisis, the EU rejected Lukashenko’s re-election in a disputed vote on Aug 9 and announced financial sanctions against officials the bloc blames for election fraud and the abuse of protesters.

“This is about the Belarusian people and their legitimate right to determine the future path of their country,” said the head of the EU’s executive Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

Lukashenko, a gruff former collective farm boss facing the biggest crisis of his 26 year rule, has blamed foreign countries for stirring unrest and funding protesters. At least two protesters have died and thousands have been jailed, many emerging to complain of beatings and abuse.

ALSO READ: Belarus president says Putin ready to help ensure security

By early Wednesday evening, there was no sign of a major new operation to clear demonstrators from the streets. Hundreds of protesters assembled in front of the Interior Ministry, which runs the police. A large number of officers were stationed there with vans, but they took no action.

People chanted “Resign!” and “Let them out!” while passing cars honked their horns in the rain.

“BELARUS IS NOT EUROPE”

Russia has consistently warned the West against meddling in Belarus, which has the closest economic, cultural and political ties to Moscow of all the former Soviet republics and is central to Russia’s European defence strategy.

On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused unidentified foreign powers of interfering, which he called unacceptable

On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused unidentified foreign powers of interfering, which he called unacceptable.

EU officials say the situation differs from Ukraine in 2014, not least because the Belarus opposition does not seek to loosen ties with Russia, only to get rid of Lukashenko.

“Belarus is not Europe,” EU Industry Commissioner Thierry Breton said, comparing it to pro-Western Ukraine and Georgia, both targets of Russian military operations. “Belarus is really strongly connected with Russia and the majority of the population is favourable to close links with Russia.”

But some European officials, especially in countries close to Belarus, have called for a firmer line to back the opposition and push back if Moscow supports any move to crush it.