Home › Politics › Kyiv and Vilnius respond to Belarus election crisis
Kyiv and Vilnius respond to Belarus election crisis
Summary
A look back at how Ukraine and Lithuania reacted as Alexander Lukashenko defied critics after the contested Belarusian presidential election.
How did Belarus's neighbours respond as the fallout from its presidential election deepened? On 18 August 2020, Lithuanian MPs approved economic sanctions against Belarus over the contested vote, while Ukraine's decision a day earlier to recall its ambassador was still fresh.
Vilnius hardens its line
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius said his country was sending a strong message to the world. He also said Lithuania refused to recognise Alexander Lukashenko as President.
Kyiv recalls its ambassador
On 17 August 2020, Ukraine recalled its Ambassador to Belarus. The stated purpose was to assess what Kyiv called the new reality and the prospects for bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries.
Lukashenko's rally
The diplomatic moves followed a defiant speech on 16 August 2020, when Lukashenko addressed supporters in Independence Square in Minsk. He claimed Belarus would die as a state if new elections were held, and he accused NATO of massing on the border. Opposition critics said most of those at the rally had been coerced into attending and bussed in from other parts of the country.
Within three days, the picture had taken shape: Lukashenko rejecting calls for a new vote, Lithuania adopting sanctions and withholding recognition, and Ukraine pulling its ambassador back for an assessment.
