Riga conference urges EU to prepare aid for Belarus after Lukashenko and tougher sanctions
A conference organized by Latvia's Foreign Ministry and the Latvian Institute of Foreign Affairs concluded that the EU should plan support for Belarus after Lukashenko's rule ends and strengthen sanctions against both the Minsk and Moscow regimes.
A conference dedicated to the situation in Belarus was held in Riga on Friday, organized by Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the Latvian Institute of Foreign Affairs. Participants concluded that the European Union needs to give increasing attention now to how it could help Belarus once Alexander Lukashenko's authoritarian rule comes to an end.
Calls for tougher sanctions
Alongside preparations for the future, participants stressed the need to increase pressure on the current regimes — both Lukashenko's government in Belarus and the leadership in Russia. This would involve expanding various types of sanctions targeting both the Minsk and Moscow authorities.
The conference took place against a backdrop in which foreign policy experts continue to monitor developments in Belarus and its close ties to Russia. The event's focus and organizers indicate it was intended as an analytical discussion on future scenarios for the region and the EU's role in shaping them.
No specific steps or timeline have been announced for how the EU might act on these conclusions — either regarding support for Belarus during a post-transition period or regarding tougher sanctions. The conference reflects an ongoing discussion within Latvian and broader European foreign policy circles about Belarus's future and its connection to regional security.
