March 16, Pozirk. The United Kingdom is unlikely to review or change its sanctions policy towards Minsk, Franak Viačorka, an aide to Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja, told Pozirk following the second round of consultations with British government officials in London last week.
The UK strategy is aligned with that of the European Union, and it is too early to speak of easing European sanctions, including the British ones, as reprisals in Belarus continue and the regime’s policies remain unchanged, he noted.
The Belarusian delegation also discussed the ongoing challenges for the Belarusian society, jailed dissidents and the regional situation, including Belarus’ role in Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Cooperation with the UK has intensified compared with three or four years ago, Viačorka noted, commenting on the talks. The politician pointed out that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) appointed an official responsible for Belarus and also acknowledged the role of the British Embassy in Vilnius.
London is using its political channels to the fullest extent possible, and the recent consultations produced new ideas on measures that could be implemented in the future, the Belarusian politician added.
