EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell believes that the current political situation in Belarus is incomparable with the one in Ukraine in 2013-2014. He stated this in an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Pais.
“The case of Belarus is incomparable with Ukraine. A contradiction arose between the European path of development and ties with Russia, the protesters carried European flags (in Ukraine - ed.). There was a geopolitical dimension. The Belarusians simply demand a regime of civil liberties and rights. There are no European flags at demonstrations And the EU is not going to turn Belarus into a second Ukraine," Borrell assured.
The head of Eurodiplomacy acknowledged that tensions between Europe and Russia in 2014 ended with gunfire, violence, and the loss of territories by Ukraine, and this situation continues to this day. Borrell noted that today's problem for Belarusians is not a choice between Russia and Europe, but achieving freedom and democracy, which are the main values of the European Union and which the EU will support.
According to the diplomat, the EU is interested in promoting political reform in Belarus so that citizens can live in a regime of political freedoms and have good relations with all neighboring countries.
“The EU has no magic wands. We have financial resources, we have mobilized 50 million euros to help the Belarusian society, we have political influence, but Belarus should not be a second Ukraine,” Borrell stressed.
As we reported before, the European Union keeps dialogue with Moscow to prevent the strengthening of Russian control over Belarus.
