Belarus 'elections' a farce, Kyiv says
Given that their outcome was predetermined well in advance, it’s impossible to conclude that the “presidential elections” in Belarus were fair and democratic, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Jan. 27.
The ministry added that political repression in Belarus has deprived citizens of a genuine choice, turning the elections into a one-man political "farce"—one designed to keep Alexander Lukashenko in power.
“Elections conducted under conditions of complete administrative control, political persecution, lack of genuine political competition, suppression of freedom of speech, and absence of independent media cannot be legitimate,” the statement said.
“It is a farce.”
The ministry noted that it fully agrees with the European Union's External Action Service's assessments regarding the election results.
“We express our support for those Belarusians who continue to fight for democratic changes in their country, its independence, and the preservation of their national dignity and identity,” the message added.
Earlier on Jan. 27, the United Kingdom, along with Canada, imposed sanctions on Belarus in response to the rigged elections, which proceeded without OSCE observers.
The military war may be swinging in our favor, but the information war continues.
Just as an army needs soldiers, so does a free society need its journalists to ensure that people have access to honest, trustworthy voices to understand the world around them.
For the past five years, The New Voice of Ukraine has been working tirelessly to push back against Russian narratives and defend democracy. But we cannot do it alone.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon for just $5 a month – your donation does directly to supporting journalists and ensuring that this front of the infowar says solid and defended.
Thank you.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
