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EU doesn't recognise results of Belarusian Presidential election, to impose sanctions

19 August 2020 18:10 (UTC +04:00)

The European Union doesn't recognise the results of the Belarusian presidential election, President of the European Council Charles Michel said in a statement after EU leaders held a video conference to discuss the political situation in the country, APA reports citing Sputnik.

"The EU will impose sanctions shortly on a substantial number of individuals responsible for violence, repression, and election fraud", Charles Michel told reporters.

Michel also stated that the EU will consider whether to include Lukashenko in the sanctions list.

"It will be the responsibility at the European level of the different committees involved in the process to formally make the decision. A question about President Lukashenko will be deliberated in the framework of this process", Michel said when asked if the Belarusian president would be sanctioned.

According to Michel, the EU considers the violence against protesters in Belarus shocking and expects an investigation. The EU stands in solidarity with the people of Belarus and doesn't accept impunity, he added.

"The violence against these peaceful protesters was shocking and unacceptable, we condemn this brutality and expect a full and transparent investigation", the president added.