Belarus needs changes but not through civil strife or revolutions, Belarus' Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said in his address to the members of the Belarusian diplomatic service, BelTA has learned.

Any changes should be carried out within the legal framework, otherwise the country will face serious consequences, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting of the Security Council with the participation of regional leaders by a video link, BelTA learned.

Belarus' Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei had a phone conversation with Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde on 18 August, BelTA learned from the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko urged not to push people to confrontation as he attended a rally of his supporters in Minsk on 16 August, BelTA has learned.

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has commented on the attempts to foment tensions among workers in Belarus and warned that strikes can have a devastating impact on domestic companies in the future.