Belarus regime faces strikes; EU restrictive measures likely

Carl Bildt, former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Sweden, shares his perspective on Europe In 60 Seconds (from Tabiano Castello in northern Italy):

What is the situation in Belarus with the opposition leader fleeing to Lithuania?

The situation is fluid and I think that while the regime hoped that significant repression would bring it under control, more than 6,000 arrested, the wave of strikes that we now see starting makes it very, very fluid situation. So, all bets are off. But they will do whatever to preserve their powers.

Are sanctions against Belarus from the European Union coming?

There is a meeting of the EU foreign ministers' tomorrow on video, and I'm quite certain that they will take decisions on what is called restrictive measures against the individuals associated with both the repression and the falsification of the election result. that is most certain to come. Blanket economic sanctions less likely.