
In this photo released by Belarus' Presidential Press Service, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, right, takes part in an industry award ceremony in Minsk, Belarus, on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. (Belarus' Presidential Press Service via AP)

A woman walks past election billboards ahead of presidential elections in Minsk, Belarus, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)

A police officer walks past an election billboard ahead of presidential elections in Minsk, Belarus, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)

FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko talk during a signing ceremony in Minsk, Belarus, Dec. 6, 2024. (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)

FILE - In this image made from video provided by the State TV and Radio Company of Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko greets riot police officers near the Palace of Independence in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 23, 2020. (State TV and Radio Company of Belarus via AP, File)

FILE - Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko looks on during Independence Day celebrations in Minsk, Belarus, on July 3, 2020. (AP Photo, File)

Portraits of candidates are displayed on an election poster at a polling center during an early voting in presidential elections in Minsk, Belarus, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)

FILE - A woman waves an old Belarusian national flag from a roof as opposition supporters march to Independence Square in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, File)

FILE - Police officers detain protesters during a rally in Minsk, Belarus, on Sept. 8, 2020, in support of opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova, to facilitate talks with President Alexander Lukashenko following a disputed presidential election the previous month. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus delivers a speech at the Belarusian Interior Ministry special forces base in Minsk, Belarus, on Dec. 30, 2020. (Maxim Guchek/BelTA Pool Photo via AP, File)

FILE - A protester holds an overturned portrait of President Alexander Lukashenko during a rally in Minsk, Belarus, on March 15, 2017. (AP Photo, File)

Portraits of candidates are displayed on an election poster ahead of presidential elections in Minsk, Belarus, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)