DISINFO: The West tries to destroy the economy of Belarus, seizes any opportunity to pressure Belarusians
SUMMARY
European and American politicians do not consider it possible to abandon sanctions while striving to destroy the economy of Belarus.
The 4th package and sectoral sanctions introduced in June by the EU and the 5th list of restrictions being prepared in Brussels today confirm the thesis that the sanctions are no longer about protecting the rights and freedoms of Belarusians. The West seizes any opportunity in order to annoy Belarusian authorities.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the belligerent West, particularly the EU, trying to destabilise and destroy Belarus.
The EU did not recognise the falsified results of the Belarusian Presidential election on 9 August 2020, nor the new mandate claimed by Alyaksandr Lukashenka. Since October 2020, the EU has progressively imposed restrictive measures against Belarus. The measures were adopted in response to the fraudulent nature of the presidential elections in Belarus, and the intimidation and violent repression of peaceful protesters, opposition members and journalists.
This decision of the fourth package of EU sanctions was made in view of the escalation of serious human rights violations in Belarus and the violent repression of civil society, democratic opposition and journalists. Moreover, seven individuals and one entity subject to this new round of restrictive measures were designated in connection to the forced and unlawful landing of flight FR4978. The goal of these sanctions is to put pressure on the Belarusian political leadership to initiate a genuine and inclusive national dialogue with broader society and to avoid further repression.
The EU is ready to bring new sanctions against Belarus if the situation in the country - which the bloc accuses of pushing asylum seekers across its borders - continues to deteriorate.
The claim that the EU does not respect the rights and freedom of Belorusian people is speculation. The EU and the West demand the Belarusian authorities to respect their own people's fundamental rights.
The West does not seek to destroy and impoverish Belarus. The European Commission has offered a comprehensive plan of economic support to a future democratic Belarus. The plan, of up to €3 billion, reflects the European Union's commitment to supporting the Belarusian people's wishes for a peaceful democratic transition in the country.
Read similar cases: The EU wants to bring down the Belarusian economy and create conditions for a new coup; The EU wants to take the Belarusians by hunger through the economic war; The EU sanctions were imposed to impoverish common people.