{"id":178742,"date":"2026-03-10T13:41:44","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T10:41:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/178742\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"belarus-top-diplomat-slams-west-over-lack-of-engagement-with-belarus","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/178742\/","title":{"rendered":"Belarus’ top diplomat slams West over lack of engagement with Belarus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\n Maksim Ry\u017eanko\u016d \n <\/div>\n \n
\n (UN press office \/ Still by Pozirk)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

March 10, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>The West called for the release of certain individuals but has failed to respond to the \u201chumanitarian steps\u201d taken by Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka, Foreign Minister Maksim Ry\u017eanko\u016d told a Belarusian state-run TV network yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The official most likely referred to the recent release of jailed Belarusian regime critics by \u0141uka\u0161enka, who signed a pardon on March 5 for 18 convicted individuals, including 15 charged with extremism-related offences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou say [Minsk should] do something else. Well, that\u2019s not how it works. If this cooperation is meant to be mutually beneficial, then steps should be taken by both sides,\u201d Ry\u017eanko\u016d said. \u201cThere can\u2019t be this constant mantra: you must, you must, you must. In the end, no one owes anyone anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The diplomat also stated yesterday that Western countries\u2019 policies were \u201cshifting toward finding a way to normalize relations\u201d with Belarus. He accused unspecified politicians, whom he described as \u201cthe architects of the unrestrained sanctions policy\u201d against Belarus and Russia, of hindering the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEveryone understands that the sanctions policy has not produced the results that were expected,\u201d Ry\u017eanko\u016d said, adding that instead of changing, the political systems in Belarus and Russia \u201conly consolidated further.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt present, these sanctions are hitting Europe itself the hardest,\u201d the official noted. \u201cBut not every politician in the European Union can dare to come out today and say, \u2018We were wrong, let\u2019s work with Belarus.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minsk has strengthened ties with Hungary and Slovakia, both members of the EU, because \u201cthe leaders of these countries stand up for their people rather than for transatlantic corporations\u201d and \u201cdo not treat politics like a computer game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the past few years, democratic countries have imposed multiple restrictions on Belarus over human rights abuses, alleged vote rigging in the 2020 presidential election, a brutal crackdown on protesters, the forced landing of a Ryanair flight, a migration crisis at the European Union border, as well as support of Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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