Russia Fears Provocation by West in Belarus During Referendum on Basic Law, Diplomat Says

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia fears that the West may stage a provocation in Belarus during a referendum on the republic's basic law, Aleksey Polishchuk, the head of the Russian foreign ministry's second CIS department, said.

"Of course, there are such concerns. To destabilize the situation, to arrange a color revolution, to establish its own control over the situation is a well-tested tactic of the West. Through the export of democracy, it develops new territories, expands its sphere of influence," Polishchuk said.

Minsk announced on Thursday that Belarus would begin a nationwide discussion on the coutnry's new constitution draft next week.

Belarus is preparing its new constitution, which will be voted on by the people in a referendum, which is expected no later than February 2022.