Raman Yakauleuski: Lukashenka's statements remain empty as long as political prisoners are in jail

The Belarusian dictator again gave the EU to understand he had no plans to release the political prisoners.

Political observer Raman Yakauleuski spoke to charter97.org about Lukashenka's statement about his readiness to normalise the relations with the EU.

“He just repeated what Makei has been saying. His words that the EU has the ball in its court mean there's no progress. Brussels thinks the ball is in Lukashenka's court. I mean the crucial issue – the release and rehabilitation of political prisoners. As we can conclude from Lukashenka's statement, the political prisoners will remain behind bars till the end of their prison terms, they won't be granted early release. I'd like to note that on the one hand, the Belarusian authorities don't admit there are political prisoners in the country, as Makei said. On the other hand, they want them to apply for a pardon,” the observer underlined.

Raman Yakauleuski thinks the statement by the Belarusian ruler is just words.

“Minsk actively maintains contacts with high-ranking European officials via ambassadors. Polish ambassador Leszek Szerepka said in an interview with charter97.org that ministerial-level meetings were held. There's progress, but the results are not satisfactory, because the political prisoners remain behind bars,” the international observer added.

The Belarusian dictator said as he received credentials of ambassadors of foreign states, including European ones, that Belarus was ready for “any steps to normalise the relations with the EU”.