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Minsk beginning to carry out measures in response to expanded EU sanctions, foreign ministry spokesman says

Minsk is beginning to carry out a set of measures in response to the European Union’s decision to expand its sanctions against Belarusian citizens and companies, Andrey Savinykh, spokesman for the Belarusian foreign ministry, told reporters on Friday.

“We have to immediately get down to carrying out a set of measures in response,” Mr. Savinykh said. “Our European partners were informed of this beforehand.”

”Under the current circumstances, the Belarusian side sees no need for the presence in Belarus’ territory of the recalled ambassadors of the states that voted for this decision,” Mr. Savinykh said.

“The Belarusian side deplores the EU Council’s decision,” he said. “This step puts off the prospect of normalizing the relations and resuming dialogue on issues sensitive to the sides.”

“The European politicians are enchained by conflict thinking and remain hostage to the logic of compulsion and blackmail.” //BelaPAN