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

MOSCOW—As protests grew in Belarus around the handling of the weekend’s presidential election, Russia moved quickly to congratulate President Alexander Lukashenko for his electoral win and press for stronger ties with its neighbor ahead of what is anticipated to be a next night of protests.

Russia and Belarus are closely linked by language and culture. Belarus at the time was a Soviet point out and is strategically positioned in the center of Eastern Europe, on Russia’s western flank. In modern yrs, Mr. Lukashenko has sought a nearer romance…