Ukraine in solidarity with EU position on Belarus / Photo from UNIAN

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine is in solidarity with the position of the European Union on the events taking place after the presidential elections in Belarus.

"We can talk for a very long time about the fraternal and friendly people – Belarusians, we really have a historical friendship between our countries, between our families," he said at a joint press conference with President of Slovakia Zuzana Čaputová in Bratislava on September 24, as reported by the Office of the President of Ukraine on Facebook.

"What we see today – if the authorities do not stop such actions, especially those of law enforcement officers directed against their people, they will get a very powerful result and response from the people. If the authorities do not find an opportunity for dialogue with their people, this government will not exist. And here Ukraine will always support our partners, here we are like-minded people with all the EU countries," Zelensky said.

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  • Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly claimed "foreign interference" in the election and external efforts to foment the protests. He spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin who had promised him comprehensive assistance upon request.
  • On August 27, Putin suggested sending Russian security forces to suppress protests in Belarus.
  • The European Union declared non-recognition of the Belarus election results and reached an agreement to impose sanctions against Belarusian officials in response to vote rigging and the use of violence against protesters.
  • On September 15, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a statement on Belarus. Ukrainian lawmakers said the presidential elections in that country were unfair. They condemned repression against protesters and vowed support for sanctions to be introduced by the European Union against Belarusian officials.
  • On September 14, Putin received Lukashenko in Russia's Sochi. During the meeting, Putin promised to lend US$1.5 billion to Belarus. After the meeting, the Kremlin announced they would recognize Lukashenko as the only legitimate president of Belarus.
  • On September 23, Lukashenko was sworn in as President of Belarus during an inaugural ceremony in the Palace of Independence in Minsk.