Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko may be many things, but no one can disagree – he is a survivor.

Lukashenko made his allegations amid rising tensions over the mass concentration of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine, with Western countries urging Moscow to pull its forces back.

Last year’s protests showed that Lukashenko’s support after more than 25 years in power had dwindled. But he commands the loyalty of the security forces and enjoys the backing of the Kremlin.