The European Union doesn't recognise the results of the Belarusian presidential election, President of the European Council Charles Michel said in a statement after EU leaders held a video conference to discuss the political situation in the country.
"The EU will impose sanctions shortly on a substantial number of individuals responsible for violence, repression, and election fraud", Charles Michel told reporters.
Michel also stated that the EU will consider whether to include Lukashenko in the sanctions list.
"It will be the responsibility at the European level of the different committees involved in the process to formally make the decision. A question about President Lukashenko will be deliberated in the framework of this process", Michel said when asked if the Belarusian president would be sanctioned.
According to Michel, the EU considers the violence against protesters in Belarus shocking and expects an investigation. The EU stands in solidarity with the people of Belarus and doesn't accept impunity, he added.
"The violence against these peaceful protesters was shocking and unacceptable, we condemn this brutality and expect a full and transparent investigation", the president added.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has also commented on the matter, saying that the EU is ready to accompany a peaceful democratic transition of power in Belarus.
"We support the opening of a dialogue between authorities and the opposition, and there is strong support for the role of the OSCE. The OSCE might be seeking ways to facilitate dialogue in Belarus. Belarus is a member of the OSCE, it is not so much mediation but opening communication channels within Belarus", the EC president said.
She also said that the EU will allocate 53 million euros for the people of Belarus.
"We already provide a lot of support to Belarus through the Eastern Partnership, but now it is more important than ever to be there for Belarus' people and to reprogram money away from the authorities towards civil society and vulnerable groups. The European Commission will now mobilise an additional 53 million euros [$63.3 million] to support the Belarusian people in these challenging times. Two million euros are to assist the victims of repression and unacceptable state violence, one million euros are to support civil society and independent media, and 50 million euros in coronavirus emergency support for the health sector", von der Leyen stated.
In the meantime, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has stated that she tried in vain to organise a phone conversation with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
"I personally tried to organise a phone conversation with President Lukashenko, unfortunately, it did not take place. I also asked for a phone conversation with [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin, that conversation, as you know, took place", Merkel said at a briefing following the online meeting of EU leaders.
Merkel also said that at the moment she could not be a mediator in the situation in Belarus since President Alexander Lukashenko has "refused to talk".
"You can mediate only when you are in contact with all parties, but we will do everything on our part to promote national dialogue [in Belarus]", she said.
The German chancellor also emphasised that there must be no interference from abroad in Belarus.
Earlier today, European Council President Charles Michel, von der Leyen, and EU leaders discussed the situation in Belarus in the wake of protests against the presidential election results.
Early into the rallies, the security forces utilised tear gas, water cannons, stun grenades, and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters, but the heavy use of force has since subsided.
According to official data, more than 6,700 people were detained in the early days of the unrest. Hundreds of others were injured, including more than 150 law enforcement officers. Three protesters have died in the unrest.
