Belarus: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office summons Belarusian ambassador

Minister for Europe and North America, James Cleverly said:

The UK condemns the role Belarus is playing in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Belarus must stop supporting Russia’s illegal and unprovoked actions.

We must be united against Russian aggression.

At today’s summons, Minister for Europe James Cleverly reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Minister Cleverly made clear that the military incursion into Ukraine would come at a severe cost to Russia’s economy, and pointed to the extensive and severe package of coordinated sanctions announced by the UK and its allies yesterday. The UK’s sanctions will also apply to those Belarusian individuals, entities and organisations who have aided and abetted this reckless aggression.

Belarus needs to desist from its support to Russia and respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty in line with its international obligations.