Alexander Lukashenko
The European Union explained the possible introduction of personal sanctions against the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. This was told by the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell, quoted by RIA Novosti.
According to him, the EU believes that Lukashenka is not ready for a dialogue with the opposition. According to the representatives of the association, the Belarusian leader will not agree to a peaceful settlement of the crisis in the republic.
Borrell also said that the EU has launched the preparation of a new list of sanctions against Belarus, which may include Lukashenka. He hoped that the measures against the Belarusian leader would be introduced faster than the previous sanctions list, which took a month and a half to agree.
In early October, the leaders of the EU countries imposed sanctions against Belarusian officials who, in their opinion, were involved in electoral fraud and human rights violations. Then Lukashenko was not included in the sanctions list. Shortly thereafter, Minsk announced that it was introducing retaliatory measures.
Mass protests have continued in Belarus since August. The participants demand the resignation of Lukashenka, the holding of new elections and the punishment of the security officials responsible for the brutal dispersal of the demonstrators. The authorities believe that elements of external interference are visible in the situation.
