On 31 August, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia imposed travel restrictions on Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and 29 other officials. These officials are accused of intervening in the latest presidential elections in Belarus as well as using violence against the protesters and activists who have questioned the election results.

ALDE Party President Hans van Baalen stands by the Baltic countries who support opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya who fled to Vilnius after the elections in August. Tsikhanouskaya will address the UN Security Council on 4 September upon the invitation by Estonia.

According to President van Baalen, the role Russian President Vladimir Putin has played in the events should not be underplayed. As the real last dictator in Europe, Putin considers Belarus as his closest ally among the former Soviet states. On 2 September, the Kremlin welcomes Lukashenko and Belarus Minister for Foreign Affairs to discuss the latest developments in the country.

President van Baalen also calls on the international community, the EU and NATO to make sure Putin cannot continue intervening in the situation and urges EU member states act in solidarity.

Lukashenko threatens his people who protest peacefully in Belarus 🇧🇾 He isn't in charge, but the real last dictator, Vladimir Putin is. 🇪🇺🇺🇸 EU & US should make clear that he needs to stop intervening or he will face consequences. Baltic countries deserve EU support! 🇪🇪🇱🇻🇱🇹 https://t.co/3cgj3Vnjbv

— Hans van Baalen (@hansvanbaalen) September 1, 2020