European Parliament recognises Lukashenko as an accomplice to Russian crimes in Ukraine

The European Parliament has once again condemned the Lukashenko regime for repressions and oppression of the people of Belarus and recognised Lukashenko as an accomplice in Russian crimes in Ukraine.

This is stated in the resolution “On relations with Belarus” adopted during the European Parliament in Strasbourg plenary session on 13 September.

A majority vote adopted the resolution: 453 deputies voted in favour, 21 voted against, and 40 abstained.

“The European Parliament… strongly condemns the involvement of the Lukashenko regime in Russia’s unjustified, criminal and unprovoked aggressive war against Ukraine… Considers that by facilitating Russia’s unjustified aggressive war against Ukraine, the Lukashenko regime has become an accomplice to the crimes committed by Russia, which implies responsibility for the destruction and damage caused to Ukraine,” the resolution states.

Therefore, the document emphasises that “a special international tribunal for the crime of aggression committed by Russia against Ukraine should have jurisdiction to investigate the actions of not only Putin and the Russian political and military leadership but also the Belarusian leadership”.

The resolution calls on the EU institutions and Member States to take all necessary measures to ensure the prosecution of Belarusian officials involved in the crimes of aggression, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of genocide committed against Ukraine.

“The European Parliament… holds Lukashenko responsible for these war crimes, as well as Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, and calls on the ICC to issue a similar international arrest warrant for Lukashenko; calls on the EU Council to extend the list of persons subject to EU sanctions to include those involved in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Belarus,” the document says.

MEPs also called on the EU Council and the EU High Representative to consider additional measures against the Lukashenko regime, in addition to the sanctions already imposed, and to develop a broad and long-term approach to relations with Belarus, in close cooperation with the EU’s international partners.