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The verdicts against journalist Katsiaryna Barysevich and doctor Artsiom Sarokin triggered another wave of adverse reaction in the West, with the U.S. Embassy in sentences as politically motivated.
The European Union also issued a statement on the matter, assuring continued support for the Belarusian people “in their legitimate desire for democracy and respect for fundamental freedoms” as well as “efforts to gather evidence of torture and repression in Belarus and bring those responsible to justice.”
U.S. President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed to strengthen coordination of EU-US foreign policy actions during telephone talks held on March 5. According to the White House press service, the leaders agreed to coordinate action on issues of common interest, including China, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and the Western Balkans.
By Dzianis Melyantsou
At the all-Belarusian People’s Assembly, the ‘hostile acts from the West’ narrative was reiterated, and the imperative of a pro-Russian foreign policy emphasised, however interest in normalising relations with the West was also in evidence.
During his speech at the People’s Assembly, Lukashenka repeated the canard of a failed “blitzkrieg” inspired by the West. Traditional rhetoric about the destructive role of the United States and other Western countries in world politics via “sanctions regimes” also featured.
Lukashenka and Foreign Minister Makei stressed Russia’s overriding importance for Belarusian foreign policy; however, the concept of multi-polar relations has not been entirely abandoned. Lukashenka declared that Belarus is interested in having “balanced and diverse ties with the outside world” and emphasised that relations with the European Union are also crucial for Belarus.