The EU decides 'targeted sanctions' on Belarus

 The foreign ministers of the European Union have reached a political agreement on sanctions against those responsible for the violence against demonstrators and electoral fraud. Technical work will now be needed, while formal adoption will take place in the coming weeks. It is learned from European diplomatic sources. 

"The EU does not accept the electoral results. Work begins on sanctions for those responsible for violence and fraud." Thus the EU High Representative, Josep Borrell.

On behalf of Chancellor Angela Merkel, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said that "brutal violence against peaceful demonstrators and especially the imprisonment of demonstrators" in Belarus is not acceptable. The Chancellor "is shaken by reports of the mistreatment of the imprisoned protesters," she added.

Belarus stands ready for "constructive and objective" talks with overseas over its controversial presidential elections and post-vote turmoil. This was stated by Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei in a telephone conversation with his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis. Makei expressed "the readiness of the Belarusian side to constructive and objective dialogue with foreign partners on all matters relating to developments in Belarus," the minister's office said in a statement.