With Belarus in Turmoil, Russia Sees Chance to Expand Its Influence

MOSCOW—As protests grew in Belarus in excess of the dealing with of the weekend’s presidential election, Russia moved quickly to congratulate President Alexander Lukashenko for his electoral gain and press for stronger ties with its neighbor forward of what is predicted to be a second night time of protests.

Russia and Belarus are closely connected by language and culture. Belarus at the time was a Soviet state and is strategically positioned in the middle of Eastern Europe, on Russia’s western flank. In modern yrs, Mr. Lukashenko has sought a closer marriage…