Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova suggested that French President Emmanuel Macron should call for support for protesters in the European Union (EU), rather than peaceful demonstrations in Belarus, she wrote on Facebook on Monday.
Macron said on August 16 that the EU should continue to actively support participants in peaceful actions in Minsk and other cities of Belarus.
"When will he ask the European Union to continue mobilizing together with the hundreds of thousands of yellow vests who at peaceful demonstrations seek respect for their rights, freedoms and sovereignty? When will the European Union stop waiting for requests from the presidents of its member states and begin to actively mobilize support for protest actions in its territory?" wrote the diplomat.
"Hypocrisy as it is," Zakharova stated.
Presidential elections were held in Belarus on August 9. According to the final data of the CEC, Alexander Lukashenko won the elections with 80.1%. The second place from 10.12% took Svetlana Tikhanovski, who was his main rival. Lukashenko's rivals did not recognize the election results. Immediately after the first results of the voting were announced, mass protests began in Belarusian cities, which turned into clashes with law enforcement officers.
As the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrel said on Friday after an informal meeting of the EU Council, the community does not accept the results of the elections and begins working on the introduction of new sanctions against Minsk.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Mikhail Tereshchenko / TASS
Based on materials from TASS