“The United States strongly condemns the hijacking of the Ryanair flight to Belarus to allow the arrest of the journalist Roman Protasevich”: said US President Joe Biden, who welcomes the EU request for targeted economic sanctions. “I asked my team to study appropriate options for those responsible,” Biden added, calling for “an international investigation into the incident.
European sanctions against Lukashenko for the kidnapped blogger
by our correspondent Claudio Tito
“This outrageous incident and the images of the arrested Mr. Protasevich are a shameful assault on both political dissent and press freedom,” Biden said, after the hijacking of the direct flight to Lithuania from Greece to arrest the 26-year-old dissident journalist. . “The United States – says the head of the White House – joins other countries in the world in demanding his release, as well as the release of hundreds of political prisoners unjustly detained”.
Belarus, Protasevich case: the tracks of KGB and FSB on the Athens-Vilnius flight
by Rosalba Castelletti
And the European Council, in addition to having decided on sanctions for Belarus, “condemns Russia’s illegal, provocative and disturbing activities against the EU and its member states” and “reaffirms the unity and solidarity of the EU of in the face of such acts, as well as its support for the Eastern partners “. This is what we read in the conclusions adopted by the EU leaders gathered in Brussels.
The Twenty-Seven also reiterated their “solidarity with the Czech Republic” in the context of tensions with Moscow. The Heads of State and Government then reiterated the importance of the five guiding principles in relations with Russia and invited the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, and the Commission to present a report on policy options on the table ahead of the June meeting. “The EU will continue coordination with like-minded partners”, concludes the document.
Belarus, Tikhanovskaja: “Lukashenko’s regime is a danger to the whole world”
by Rosalba Castelletti
Thus ended the work of the first day of the extraordinary EU summit. Leaders also adopted conclusions on the relationship with the UK. Tomorrow morning the summit will discuss the fight against the pandemic and climate change.
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