U.S. watching 'terrible' situation in Belarus closely, warns Russia not to meddle

U.S. President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he departs for travel to Minnesota and Wisconsin from the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, U.S., August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States believes mass protests in Belarus make clear the government of longtime president Alexander Lukashenko "can no longer ignore" calls for democracy there, a senior Trump administration official said on Monday.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said Russia should stay out of the situation brewing in the Eastern European country, saying Moscow "must also respect Belarus’ sovereignty and the right of its people to freely and fairly elect their own leaders."