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

MOSCOW—As anger grew in Belarus more than the managing of the weekend’s presidential election, Russia moved quickly to congratulate President Alexander Lukashenko for his electoral acquire and press for more powerful ties with its neighbor ahead of a second evening of protests.

Russia and Belarus are carefully joined by language and society. Belarus after was a Soviet state and is strategically situated in the center of Japanese Europe, on Russia’s western flank. In recent years, Mr. Lukashenko has sought a nearer romantic relationship with Europe and…