Russia declared its readiness to provide military assistance to Belarus as protests against President Alexander Lukashenko continued.

The Kremlin on August 16 issued a statement saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin had told his Belarus counterpart Alexander Lukashenko that Russia was ready to implement a collective defense treaty if necessary to help Belarus "solve problems.

Russia says "outside pressure" is causing instability with anti-Lukashenko protests, but does not specify where those pressures come from.

According to Belarus's Belta news agency, President Lukashenko said he had a "long and detailed" talk on security issues with Russian President Putin.

"Putin and I have agreed that we will receive full support in securing Belarus' security whenever we ask," he said.

A wave of protests broke out in Belarus after the controversial presidential election of August 9.

The opposition accused the election results of many frauds, but President Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26 years, denied, citing official results showing that he won over 80% of the vote.

Security is tightened in the capital Minsk today as thousands of supporters of President Lukashenko gather here for the first time since the election to show his support and hear him speak.

"Motherland is in danger," said one loudly to the crowd, shouting, "We must unite, not be divided."

"I support Lukashenko," said Alla Georgievna, 68.

In the speech, Lukashenko said that tanks and aircraft of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) had been deployed just 15 minutes from the Belarus border.

"NATO's presence on the east side of the alliance is not a threat to any country. This move is rigorous, proportionate and designed to prevent conflict as well as to protect.

Lukashenko earlier said there was a foreign-backed subversion plot aimed at him and that Belarus was under pressure.

"The NATO army is on our country's doorstep. Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Ukraine are asking us to hold new elections", he stressed, adding that the country of Belarus "will die" if

"I never betray you and will never do that," President Lukashenko declared.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Lukashenko's rival in the election, called for a large "free march" in the center of the capital Minsk and other cities and towns on August 16.

Protesters carried red and white flags, chanting slogans like "Lukashenko resigns" or "we will not forget or forgive".

Alexei, a 31-year-old worker, said the protesters' actions may not stop at the peace threshold if they don't get what they want.

Russia is closely monitoring all developments in Belarus because some gas pipelines from Russia to Europe pass through the country.

Putin and Lukashenko made a phone call twice over the weekend.

In 1999, two neighboring countries signed an agreement to create the federal state of Russia and Belarus.