Anatol Liabedzka: Sanctions on Lukashenka Cannot Be Lifted

Nothing has changed in Belarus. Reasons that caused sanctions are still urgent.

Anatol Liabedzka, Chairman of the United Civil Party, said to Radio Svaboda commenting on February scheduled meeting of the EU on lifting sanctions against Belarusian bureaucrats:

- It is fifty-fifty that sanctions will be totally lifted. Today there is no single plan upon further steps among Europeans. There are pragmatic and value-based approaches. It is hard to make any predictions. External factors are of great importance, a mere thing has changed in Belarus. So to say, almost nothing. Reasons that caused financial and visa sanctions are still urgent. What has changed? The situation on the world arena has changed and it is worth taking into account.

- What is your position?

- I do not stand for full lifting of sanctions, it's better if they remain the same. Lifting of sanctions demotivates the government to change something within the country. Second, it demotivates those who advocate for the European choice in Belarus.

- It is clear that the Belarusian government hopes for full lifting of sanctions...

- They work through the diplomatic channels and leave no avenue unexplored. In my view, they even use blackmails a little. They say that the situation will change for the better, but it happens not at once. An official Minsk is interested in lifting sanctions. It is a political factor, and it makes the way for economic activity.

As is reported, on February 15 Ministers of Foreign Ministries of the EU are going to discuss "the Belarusian issue". On February 29 the fate of sanctions against Lukashenka and his inner circle will be determined.