EU to Expand Belarus Sanctions as Lukashenko Touts Putin Support
- New measures to target election, law enforcement officials
- Riot police detain 280 while breaking up Minsk rally Thursday
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European Union foreign ministers pledged to expand sanctions against Belarus as President Alexander Lukashenko defiantly stepped up pressure on the opposition, touting a pledge of support from Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
The proposed blacklist will exceed 20 Belarusian officials, including key election and law enforcement officials suspected of aiding vote fraud and the crackdown, according to EU foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell. Earlier, several ministers said Lukashenko may be added to the list, which involves asset freezes and travel bans.