- The fear of a Russian military intervention pushed Brussels to organize an extraordinary summit by videoconference.
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Sanction those responsible for violence and electoral fraud: this is one of the lines of action confirmed by the leaders of the Twenty-Seven.
Brussels, Aug.19.– Gestures and words are not confusing. Gathered, virtually, for an extraordinary summit, European leaders are increasing the pressure on Alexander Lukashenko. The August 9 presidential elections in Belarus “were neither free nor fair. We do not recognize the results ”, said the Presidents of the European Council and of the European Commission, Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen. In unison, the Twenty-Seven condemn “disproportionate and unacceptable violence” and call for a “full and transparent investigation” .
Sanction those responsible for violence and electoral fraud. This is one of the lines of action confirmed by the leaders. The political decision was taken by the foreign ministers, five days after the elections. Particularly fast timing for the Europeans, a reflection of their determination.
These sanctions (freezing of assets and ban on travel within the Union) will be "soon" adopted and will target a "substantial" number of regime officials, insisted Charles Michel.
If attention is focused on this point, the real challenge of the Twenty-Seven lies elsewhere. The balance to be struck is fragile, especially with the specter of the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 ...
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