English

Russia does not support sanctions against Belarus but considers massive post-election arrests unacceptable, foreign minister says

Russia does not support sanctions against Belarus but considers the massive arrests in Belarus in the wake of the country’s December 14-19 presidential election unacceptable, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters on Wednesday.

“What happened after the closure of the polls is unacceptable,” Mr. Lavrov said, according to RIA Novosti. “And Russia has spoken against it not only because our citizens are being detained but also because the wave of arrests in general cannot but arouse appropriate emotions.”

The minister expressed hope that the Belarusian authorities would promptly heed the West’s demand to release the detained former presidential candidates, journalists and human rights activities, and to ensure respect for human rights and political freedoms.

“I am convinced that these issues should be resolved through encouraging a dialogue that would involve Belarus in multilateral processes and thereby help advance economic reform and strengthen democracy,” Mr. Lavrov said. “Resolving these issues through sanctions that are imposed for political reasons with a view to deteriorating the social and economic situation is the wrong path.” //BelaPAN