Belarus warns EU against inviting Lukashenko's rival to meeting

The foreign ministry in Belarus said on Saturday that it saw the possible participation of opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in an EU ministerial meeting as an interference in domestic affairs, the Belta state news agency reported.

Tsikhanouskaya has led the biggest challenge to President Alexander Lukashenko's 26-year rule in Belarus.

The foreign ministry said it had informed European diplomats about its view.

Russian state news agencies reported earlier that Tsikhanouskaya is expected to take part in a meeting of European foreign ministers next week.