Pompeo “designated” Lithuania as the leading country on Belarus

The Secretary of State thanked Lithuania for its “leading role in ensuring the independence and territorial integrity of Belarus” and the democratic rights of its people.

TASS reports with reference to a statement from the press office of the US Department of State, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo met with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius in Washington on Wednesday and expressed his appreciation for Lithuania’s role in the situation around Belarus.

“The Secretary of State expressed his gratitude to Lithuania for its leadership in ensuring the independence and territorial integrity of Belarus and the democratic rights of its people”, –  the document says.

The Seimas of Lithuania adopted a resolution calling former presidential candidate of Belarus Svetlana Tikhanovskaya “the elected leader of the Republic”. In response, the Council of the Republic of Belarus accused Lithuania of gross interference in the internal affairs of the republic and open disrespect for the sovereign right of the Belarusian people to choose their own leadership and determine the path of development of their country.