EU's Michel discusses Belarus crisis with Putin, calls for dialogue

Michel, who will chair Wednesday's video conference of the 27 European Union leaders, gave no details of his conversation with Putin but said in a tweet that "only peaceful and truly inclusive dialogue can resolve the crisis". The EU has agreed to impose sanctions on Belarusian officials it deems responsible for election fraud and a crackdown on mass protests that followed an Aug. 9 vote in which long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko claimed a landslide victory.

European Council President Charles Michel said on Tuesday he had discussed the crisis in Belarus with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a day ahead of an emergency EU summit at which the bloc's leaders will express solidarity with Belarusian protesters. Michel, who will chair Wednesday's video conference of the 27 European Union leaders, gave no details of his conversation with Putin but said in a tweet that "only peaceful and truly inclusive dialogue can resolve the crisis".

The EU has agreed to impose sanctions on Belarusian officials it deems responsible for election fraud and a crackdown on mass protests that followed an Aug. 9 vote in which long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko claimed a landslide victory. His opponents say the election was rigged. The EU leaders are expected to endorse the sanctions plan and send a message to Russia that it must not intervene in the former Soviet republic. Putin has offered Lukashenko military help.