Sanctions over events in Belarus, where for several days after the presidential election protests, it is necessary to introduce against Russia, said the Deputy of the European Parliament from Poland Jacek Saryusz-Wolski. The representative of Poland expressed regret hard enough the reaction of the European Union on Belarusian events. At the same time, the Minister of national defence of Poland Mariusz Blashak believes that the events in the neighboring country should encourage Germany to reconsider its attitude to the construction of the pipeline “Nord stream — 2”. Anti-Russian politicians in Europe will use the proximity of Russia and Belarus as a pretext for the introduction of new restrictions against Moscow, experts say.
Against Russia should impose sanctions in connection with the ongoing in Belarus, the political crisis, where after the presidential elections held a protest. This was stated by MEP from Poland Jacek Saryusz-Wolski. According to him, the new sanctions are needed to counter “Russian interference”.
“what could make the European Union that could offer Poland, is direct sanctions on Russia, not Belarus. Because it’s like a punishment of the sword and not his hands. If I neutralize the role of Russian intervention or even annexation, I think Belarusians themselves to cope with the construction of democracy”, — the politician said in the air of Polish radio.
The Saryusz-Wolski criticized the EU’s reaction to events in Belarus, calling it timid.
“to do what is being done in Belarus, would be vastly different if not for the fact that today those who have power in the European Union and put relations and business with Russia above the support of democratic movements in Belarus, recognizing in a sense that it is a territory of Russian influence”, — said the Polish politician.
About the need to “punish” Russia for what is happening in the neighboring country, said the Minister of national defence of Poland Mariusz Blashak that linked Belarusian riot with the construction of Russian gas pipeline “Nord stream — 2”.
“I hope that maybe this will be another element that will make it so that certain countries of the EU and NATO will change, for example, its approach to the “Nord stream”, that is, the political Russian-German company… I hope they will think again, especially Germany, that business with Russia is not in the interest of the free world”, — quotes the words of Blaschka RIA Novosti.
Such statements of Polish politicians once again confirm the anti-Russian course of Warsaw, believes teacher of the Department of regional studies and foreign policy history and archives Institute RSUH Vadim Trukhachev.
“the Polish government has done Russophobia gpublic policy and, accordingly, not understanding, looking for a “Russian trace” everywhere, even where it is not. This is a common song of Poland about the fact that Russia is an existential enemy and therefore must be punished”, — the expert said in comments to RT.
the Lublin intermediation
We will remind, on August 9 in Belarus held presidential elections, which according to the CEC defeated the current head of state Alexander Lukashenko typing 80,08% of the vote. After this across the country began protests disagree with this result.
Law enforcement officers used against protesters tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets. According to official data, one person was killed when in his hands a homemade bomb exploded. However, some media reported the death of another young man, the circumstances of the death which is being investigated.
With the beginning of the crisis of the so-called triangle Lublin — Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine — began to offer help to resolve it, and expressed readiness “to facilitate dialogue” between the Belarusian authorities and the protesters. On 11 August in Riga the Minister of foreign Affairs of Poland Jacek Czaputowicz.
“In our statement we suggest the authorities in Minsk, if they agree or are in need, to take on the role of a mediator in internal negotiations. Because without agreement about changes in the country made with the Belarusian society, it is hard to imagine a positive out of this situation”, — writes the Polish Radio.
Czaputowicz said that Belarus will open the way to EU, but it is based on democratic changes — the release of political prisoners, cessation of repression and the beginning of negotiations. The Polish foreign Minister warned of a possible imposition of sanctions in the event of deterioration.
About “mediation” with the participation of Poland and Lithuania on August 13 during an interview with “Polish Radio” said Mariusz Blashak.
“This is a joint initiative of Poland and Lithuania, the readiness to mediate in negotiations (between the government and the opposition). It was expressed by the presidents of the two States. There is a initiative in the EU, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, it concerns the meeting of the European Council on the situation in Belarus” — quoted Polish defense Minister Interfax.
the Response of the European Union
In the EU guidelines while not connected what is happening in Belarus with Russia, but on 11 August Brussels in an official statement announced that the EU considers the elections in Belarus are neither free nor fair, and is studying the possibility of imposing sanctions against those responsible for wrongful arrests and violence.
According to the official representative of the European Commission for international Affairs Peter Stano, despite the lack of haste in the discussion of the sanctions question, all options remain open.
The head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell announced that on August 14 he was appointed extraordinary meeting of foreign Ministers of the EU countries, which, in particular, will discuss the situation in Belarus. The Polish foreign Ministry, in turn, focused attention on the fact that the meeting was initiated by Warsaw.
Vadim Trukhachev suggested that the country’s Lublin triangle, intervening in the international discussion of the crisis in Belarus will try to expand it in the direction of the attack on Russia. In his opinion, the EU anti-Russian position will try to link events in Belarus to Russia and use them as a supply for new sanctions measures, but the option of truly imposing restrictions against Moscow is unlikely, the expert believes.
“Certainly, the political crisis in Belarus will be used by the countries of Eastern Europe, to stir up anti-Russian hysteria in the EU. However, it is unlikely against Russia really can be sanctioned on these grounds, because the Union of these countries do not have the level of Germany,” — said Trukhachev.
Head of sector of regional problems and conflicts of the Department of European political studies, IMEMO RAS Konstantin Voronov also believes that the political crisis in Belarus will be used by the countries of Eastern Europe, to stir up anti-Russian hysteria in the EU.
“we Can expect that against Russia may indeed be sanctioned, because some forces will be to exaggerate using not only this reason, but other events to achieve its goals”, — concluded the analyst.
