The decision on sanctions measures against 40 Belarusian officials became possible due to the fact that they managed to convince Cyprus, which demanded first of all to punish Turkey
After weeks of discussions, EU leaders agreed to impose sanctions on Belarus over controversial election results and the crackdown on protests in that country. Deutsche welle reports about it following the summit of EU leaders in Brussels.
“Today we decided to impose sanctions. It is very important to do what we decided a few weeks ago, and to give a signal that we are trustworthy,” President of the European Council Charles Michel told reporters after the summit.
Radio Liberty journalist Rikard Yozvyak said that the sanctions will take effect next week.
The decision on sanctions measures against 40 Belarusian officials became possible thanks to the fact that Cyprus was convinced. His condition on pressure on Turkey will be partially fulfilled – the EU leaders promised to give a “clear signal” to Ankara.
It was the position of Cyprus that impeded the adoption of a decision on Belarus, since Nicosia demanded sanctions for Turkey in return because of the confrontation in the Mediterranean, where Turkish vessels were sent for gas exploration.
The sanctions against Belarus concern those involved in the falsification of the presidential election results and the brutal suppression of peaceful demonstrations after the August 9 elections.
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“Today we decided to impose sanctions. It is very important to do what we decided a few weeks ago, and to give a signal that we are trustworthy,”
Load of crap. The EU are going to sanction 40 nobodies, who probably never set foot outside of little Russia, but the main culprit, they guy who ordered the mass falsification and atrocities, will get off scot free.