Sanctions for the events in Belarus, where protests have been taking place since August 9 after the presidential elections, should be imposed against Russia. This was stated by the member of the European Parliament from Poland Jacek Sariusz-Wolski.
“What the European Union could do, what Poland could offer is to direct sanctions on Russia, not on Belarus. Because it looks like punishment with a sword, not a hand, ”Sariusz-Wolski said on the air of Polish Radio.
He said that the Belarusians themselves will cope with the construction of democracy if Russian interference is “neutralized”.
The MEP said that the reaction of the European Union to the events in Belarus is not tough enough. “The attitude to what is being done in Belarus would be completely different if it were not for the fact that today those who have power in the European Union put relations and business with Russia above the support of democratic movements in Belarus,” the deputy said.
On August 11, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko promised to provide evidence of outside interference in the country’s affairs. Minsk offered to objectively understand what was happening in the country and noted that it was ready for a dialogue with all foreign partners.
Mass protests have been taking place in Belarus since August 9, when presidential elections were held in the country. The current head of state Alexander Lukashenko, according to the CEC, received 80.08% of the vote, opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was supported by 10.09% of voters. Tikhanovskaya’s headquarters did not recognize the results of the vote.
After the announcement of the preliminary results, unauthorized protests began in Minsk and other cities of Belarus, which resumed in the evening of August 10. Both civilians and security forces suffered, one person died.