Minsk has threatened to withdraw from joint programmes and sever diplomatic relations with the European Union in the event of further promotion of the “sanctions flywheel”.
From Friday, the Belarusian authorities will put in place their own sanctions list in response to EU visa sanctions against Belarusian officials. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus informs about it.
“In connection with visa sanctions adopted by the EU in respect of a number of Belarusian officials, from today the Belarusian side will put into effect its own sanctions list. In accordance with the established civilized diplomatic practice, we will not publish it”, – reads the Foreign Ministry statement.
The Foreign Ministry pointed out that the increased EU sanctions pressure on Belarus may lead to the severance of diplomatic relations and withdrawal of Minsk from joint programs. “Further promotion of the EU “sanctions flywheel” may lead to even more serious consequences, such as withdrawal of Belarus from joint programs and projects, revision of the level and modality of diplomatic presence until the decision on the expediency of maintaining diplomatic relations,” reads the statement of the Foreign Ministry.