Sweden demands tougher sanctions against Belarus

The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, advocated toughening sanctions against the Republic of Belarus. The proposal was received on the eve of a meeting with the foreign ministers of the European Union on August 14. For her part, Swedish Foreign Minister Anne Linde said that her country would require tough sanctions against the republic because of the actions of the security forces to disperse the protesters. This was announced on August 14 by the news agency SVT Nyheter. On August 14, the Riksdag Committee on Relations with the European Union agreed with the Swedish Foreign Ministry on a political position according to which Sweden intends to demand targeted sanctions against Belarus. This was announced on the same day by Minister Linde. We believe that the list of persons subject to sanctions against Belarus should be expanded. This means travel restrictions and an asset freeze. We must impose these sanctions on those directly responsible for violence, for unjustified arrests and for falsifications in connection with the presidential election. I am very glad that the Riksdag Committee on Relations with the European Union supported me in this intention, the minister said.