Lukashenko

“In our Eastern neighbourhood - in Belarus, where President Lukashenko failed to use last December's Presidential elections to show his readiness for change and a more open and democratic, European society. Not only did he not take this chance, but in using violence against peaceful demonstrators and multiplying the number of political prisoners, he has shown contempt for democracy and the rule of law. I met with the families of those imprisoned. And I know he has left us with no other option than to adopt strong sanctions in response, targeting those in the regime responsible for the crack-down, including President Lukashenko himself. And also that we should step up our support for civil society and for people-to-people contact”, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton has told the European Parliament, theeuropa.eu reported.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius said Tuesday that Lithuania is considering asking the European Union to impose restrictions on electricity trading by third parties that generate electric power without complying with nuclear safety requirements. Kubilius directly referenced Russia’s constructing a nuclear power plant in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad as well as a planned Russian-Belarusian project to construct a plant in Belarus. Lithuania has vociferously spoken out against the latter project since a deal was signed March 16 between Russia and Belarus — a deal that would allow Moscow to provide roughly $9 billion in financing to construct the nuclear plant, the forbes.com reported.

The European Union has added another 19 names to its list of Belarusian officials who are subjected to visa bans and asset freezes. The move follows the decision in January to impose sanctions on the country's president, Alexander Lukashenko, and 157 other regime officials following the violent crackdown against protesters after December’s disputed presidential election.

Former Belarusian presidential candidate Ales Mikhalevich, who is charged with organizing mass disorder in Minsk during post-election demonstrations in December, has asked for political asylum in the Czech Republic, the rt.com reported.

Belarusis ready to support the activity of Sberbank of Russia in the country, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with Chairman of the Board of Sberbank of Russia German Gref on 10 March.