On Monday, the European Union (EU), the United States, Canada and the UK announced some additional measures on Minsk, which will affect 86 people and entities and will extend to the energy industry, potassium sector and the purchase of public debt bonds.

Makei assured that his country already has its ‘response package,’ while stressing that ‘Belarus is not alone, there are a number of allies and partners always ready to back us up. We will overcome,’ the Belta news agency reported.

According to governments deeply involved in such a policy, sanctions were imposed in response to the May 23´s emergency landing in Minsk by a Ryanair airline flight heading between Greece and Lithuania due to a bomb threat.

During the plane’s stay in Minsk, local authorities arrested Román Protasevich, one of founders of opposition Telegram channel Nexta, who is considered an extremist, and his Russian partner Sofía Sapega.

Regarding sanctions, Economy Minister Alexándr Cherviakov estimated they could even help the country, since limitations from the West will force local companies to seek new markets and partners in other regions.

On the other hand, the President of the College of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Mikhail Miasnikovich described the approval of the fourth package of economic sanctions against Belarus as an EU´s weakness stance.

pgh/Pll/oda / mml