OREANDA-NEWS. The leaders of the European Union member states unanimously voted in favour of imposing sanctions against the Belarusian authorities for falsifying elections, using violence and breach of human rights.

This was announced on October 1 by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, at a press conference in Brussels after the first day of the summit. The EU has decided to implement the sanctions, and it is very important to do what was decided a few weeks ago, the politician said. Next day, the sanctions on Belarus will be implemented according to a written procedure, he added.

Michel clarified that the Union is considering a list of 40 representatives of the Belarusian authorities who should be subject to restrictions. He stressed that the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko is not included in the blacklist.

The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that the EU sanctions against Minsk can begin to act immediately.