The reaction of Belarus to Kiev’s accession to the EU sanctions is emotional and unfounded. This was announced on Thursday, November 26, at the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine took into account the presentation of a note of protest to the Ambassador of Ukraine in Belarus. We consider the reaction of the Belarusian side to be overly emotional and generally unfounded, ”Ukrinform quotes a report.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also noted that for Ukraine, as a European democratic state, freedom of speech and assembly is of fundamental importance, therefore, there is no reason to restrict the right to peaceful protest in the situation that currently exists in Belarus.
Earlier that day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the republic stressed that Ukraine’s accession to the EU sanctions against Belarus is a non-independent decision that demonstrates the inconsistency of Kiev’s policy. He also added that Minsk has already prepared a sanctions list, which includes several Ukrainian officials.
On November 26, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry protested to Ambassador of Ukraine Igor Kizim because of the “anti-Belarusian actions” against the embassy of the republic in Kiev. Belarus also demanded to ensure the security of its diplomatic mission on the territory of Ukraine.
On November 13, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko threatened Kiev to close Belarus to Ukrainian goods. Lukashenko recalled that Kiev has now imposed sanctions against Belarus, and called on the neighboring state to “wake up”.
The presidential elections in Belarus were held on August 9. The protest actions of the opposition, disagreeing with the results of the voting, according to which Lukashenka won with 80.1% of the votes for the sixth time in a row, does not subside in the country. The voting results were not recognized by the countries of America and Europe. Sanctions have been imposed on Minsk.