Belarus in 2020 was subjected to massive external pressure, including sanctions, said Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei. BelTA informs about it in its Telegram-channel.
He explained that the pressure was exerted by Western countries as a result of a “hypertrophied reaction” to the results of the presidential elections.
Earlier, the leader of the Belarusian opposition Svetlana Tikhanovskaya considered the new package of sanctions against the circle of President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko as a mockery of the European Union. She stressed that restrictions against 90 people are not capable of seriously affecting the authorities and helping those affected by the actions of the security forces.
Prior to that, Lukashenko urged “not to worry” about Western sanctions, since Russia and Belarus will be able to independently provide themselves with everything they need. He called himself “a man of the Soviet era” who knows “what the state plan is” and how to plan the production of necessary goods. Lukashenko suggested that due to the active development of the economy and science, over time, other countries of the former USSR would gather around the two countries.
In Belarus, protests have continued for more than six months after the presidential elections on August 9, 2020, according to the official results of which Alexander Lukashenko received 80 percent of the vote. The actions of those who disagree with the results are harshly suppressed by the police and riot police. Tens of thousands of people were detained, many spoke of torture and beating in isolation wards. Four people died in clashes with security officials.